Lady Blues start off slow

By DAVE COX/Staff

There were only two teams participating in the District 11 Little League All-Star 10- 11 year-old softball tournament at the Flanary Field complex in Richlands forcing the Lady Blues to play Honaker in consecutive games last weekend in the double elimination format. Richlands gave it a very good effort but were just no match for the Lady Tigers as the Blues suffered two straight shutouts. They lost a 10-0 contest on Saturday and returned Sunday to face the same team, suffering an 11-0 defeat there.

Honaker advanced to the state tournament to be held at a later date while the Lady Blues ended their run with the twin losses.

Morgan Bentley was in the pitching circle for Richlands on Saturday and stayed there throughout the four inning game. Alex Bartley went the distance in the circle for the Tigers. Bartley fanned nine Lady Blues and struck out the side in the fi rst and second innings. She did not walk anyone.

Courtney Webb took over the pitching chores for the Blues on Sunday and hurled three innings. She was relieved by Chelsey Bowman who pitched the final frame of the four inning contest.

Emily Kendrick pitched the entire game for Honaker Sunday. She struck out nine batters, retiring the side on strikeouts in the third inning. Kendrick walked one batter.

Richlands managed one hit in each game, both coming in the first inning.

Chantell Cantrell had an infi eld single in Saturday’s game while Maggie Lester reached fi rst base on a bunt single on Sunday.

The fi rst inning was scoreless on Saturday, but Honaker plated two runs in the second, fi ve in the second and added three to end the game in the fourth.

Honaker picked up five hits on Saturday with Morgan Stevens leading the way with two including an inside–the-park home run. Kaytlin Cook, Marrisa “Rudy” Hughes and Leah Elswick each singled.

Sunday was a big day for home runs for the Tigers as both Cook and Kendrick had an inside-the-park home run in the same inning.

Each also had a double in the game. Elswick collected a double and single. Amanda Keen had two hits and Hughes one on Sunday.

The 2007 Richlands 10- 11 All-Star players include Maggie Lindsey, Morgan Bentley, Courtney Webb, Jamie Lester, Brittany Goss, Breanna Arnold, Kaitlyn McReynolds, Chelsey Bowman, Breanna Baldwin, Emily Ray, Chantell Cantrell and Morgan Steele. Their manager is Louis Bales and coaches are Greg Arnold and Chuck Bentley.