Published: May 21, 2008 01:33 pm            

East girls in final

WEST LIBERTY - The East Carter Softball team began district tournament action Monday night in West Liberty – and the locals didn’t spend much time in the opening round.

The girls in red took Elliot County 11-1 in five innings, in just about an hour of play.

The Raider defense fielded a grounder and both Callie Blevins and Nikki Moffett caught fly balls in the top of the first. At bat, with a series of walks and singles, EC’s score stood at 2-0.

Back in the field, pitcher Ashton Porter threw one strikeout and Jessica Moore caught a fly. The girls snapped up a grounder to first for the third out. “We’ve come together and we’re playing better than we were in the beginning of the season,” Porter said. “If we play like we did tonight on Wednesday, we can expect the win.”

In the bottom of the second, Moffett took first on a walk then Moore tapped a bunt which turned into a double on an error by the first baseman. Heather Lucas smacked a double to bring in two RBIs. At the top of the third, the Raiders were ahead 4-0.

Two Elliot County batters took singles, but fast thinking by Porter helped Moffett catch one runner in a run down after she turned back from stealing second. Moffett stopped a grounder and assisted in the double play to stop the runner at home. Taylor Layne singled at the plate, Moffett walked and Moore doubled on a second bunt for one RBI. With runners on second and third, Lucas ground out to third, but brought in another RBI. Stevie Sharp took first on a walk and Porter grounded out, but brought in two more RBI’s to make it 8-0.

“It feels great to come out with a victory like this one,” Sharp said. “I’m really proud of the team because everyone did their part.”

The Raider defense stopped Elliot with one strikeout and a ground out in the next inning. Sharp stopped, but was unable to catch a line drive at shortstop, and caught a fly ball to bring the girls back to bat. Makayla Colley smacked a double and Layne followed with a triple, bringing in the RBI. Moffett walked again Moore singled with one RBI. Lucas outran the fielder’s choice for a single and one RBI, bringing the girls to 11-0.

“We came out and played a heads up ball game tonight,” Coach Tim Baldwin said. “The girls are jelling at the right time and I am proud of them.” Three up and down in the top of the fifth ended the game.

Baldwin scouted the second game to prepare for Wednesday’s match up. “We’re going to have a tough game, but were going to practice batting and fielding and hopefully we can come back to be district champs.”

In the rivalry rematch from last season, the East and West Carter softball teams meet in tonight’s championship game. Both teams advance to next week’s 16th Region Tournament at Rowan County Senior High School in Morehead.

        

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