By By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
July 14, 2002
Ask coaches about competing in a tournament and most of them will tell you "It's important to stay in the winners' bracket."
Lincoln Lumber of Brookhaven proved that staying in the winners' bracket is very helpful as they finished off the tournament with a 13-6 win over worn-out Biloxi in the championship game of the ASA 14-Under State "A" Tournament on Saturday at the Sammie Davidson Complex.
With the win, Lincoln Lumber wins the state championship and a paid trip to the national tournament. Biloxi, West Lauderdale, and Amory will also have a bid to the tournament if they choose to pay the entry fee. The other eight teams that competed in the tournament will have to compete in the regionals next weekend to earn a big to Nationals.
Lincoln Lumber jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first inning. Emily Smith singled and Ashley Sykes reached on an error. After a fielder's choice, Emily Langley came through with a inside-the-park home run with two outs to score three runs in the inning.
Lincoln Lumber also scored three runs in the top of the second. Maddie Allen walked to start the inning. After two outs were recorded, Leonna Ballard walked and Jessica Hart reached on an error to load the bases. Smith cleared the bases with a double to make the score 6-0.
Biloxi was able to score one run in the second inning, but Lincoln Lumber scored three runs in the fourth inning to expand the lead. Sykes knocked in a run with a fielder's choice and another run scored on a single by Abby Williams. The final run of the inning scored on a single by Langley.
After Lincoln Lumber scored a run in the top of the fifth, Biloxi scored two runs in the fifth when Jill Beattie singled and a error allowed two runners to come all the way around. Lincoln Lumber answered with a run in the sixth to make the score 11-3.
Biloxi had a big inning in the sixth to cut the lead to five. Natalie Parker and Rilee White singled to start the inning. Mary Cuevas reached base when communication problems in the outfield allowed her fly ball to fall in. Lauren Provinsky followed with a single and Michelle Williams also had an RBI single. An error allowed the third run of the inning to score.
Lincoln Lumber scored two runs in the seventh thanks to a triple by Ballard and a sacrifice fly by Hart. Biloxi could not score in the seventh and Lincoln Lumber took the 13-6 victory.
Biloxi finished the tournament with a 6-2 record. Lincoln Lumber went 5-0 in the double-elimination event.
Biloxi 13
West Lauderdale 3
Biloxi exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the fifth and went on to run-rule West Lauderdale 13-3.
West Lauderdale led 2-1 going into the fourth. The first three batters reached base but West was only able to bring one run around. Biloxi then blew the game open in the bottom half of the inning.
With the loss, West Lauderdale finished third in the tournament.
Natalie Parker had two singles for Biloxi. Michelle Williams, Paige Mount and Michelle Parker each had a single. Jill Beattie had a single and a walk.
For West Lauderdale, Kristi Lantz, Holly Herrington and Morgan Gullette each had a single. Sommer Jones had a single and double while Kattie McAllister had a single.
Biloxi 1
Amory 0
Biloxi scored a run in the third inning and held on to beat Amory 1-0 in a losers' bracket matchup.
Amory almost came back in the seventh. Molly Moon and Kristen Harrison had singles and Megan Booth was walked to load the bases with two outs. The next batter grounded out to the pitcher and Biloxi was able to advance.
Amory finished fourth after the loss.
Rilee White, Michelle Williams and Jeana Erickson each had a single for Biloxi. Sami Wilkinson walked an scored the game's only run.
Lincoln Lumber 11
West Lauderdale 0
Lincoln Lumber was able to advance to the finals by scored five runs in the third on its way to an 11-0 win.
Lincoln Lumber also scored four runs in the fifth inning to win by the run-rule.
Jessica Hart had a single for Lincoln Lumber. Emily Smith had three singles. Ashley Sykes and Kaylin Burke each had a single in the win.
Leah Hailey had a double for West Lauderdale. Kristi Lantz had a single and Morgan Gullette had a single and a walk.
Other scores on the day were: Picayune 20, Booneville 0; Lincoln Lumber 13, D'Iberville 1; Biloxi 7, Tupelo Twisters 6; West Lauderdale 11, Topsy Tornados 9; Tupelo 12, Moss Point 10; Amory 12, Topsy Tornados 2; Biloxi 18, D'Iberville 2; Columbus 9, Booneville 8; Amory 9, Tupelo 7; Biloxi 14, Columbus 4; Amory 9, North Meridian Optimist 7; Biloxi 12, Picayune 7; Lincoln Lumber 10, Moss Point 9; Picayune 7, Amory 3; NMO 8, Biloxi 7; West Lauderdale 17, Columbus 7; West Lauderdale 13, NMO 12 and Lincoln Lumber 9, Picayune 4.