Dixie Debs grab second place at Greenville tourney
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 18, 2001
The Greenville Dixie Debs All-stars hosted the two-team tournament at Greenville Softball Complex, and after two games against Andalusia, took second place honors.
Starting off at 7 p.m., Greenville took to the field first, allowing Andalusia to take visitor’s honors at-bat. The tournament, played for the best two-out-of-three games, ended after two with Andalusia the victor.
Andalusia 17, Greenville 12
In the first inning, Andalusia dominated the field with six stolen bases. Setting the pace for scoring was Maryanne Taylor with four runs, one from a walk, two from doubles and one from a single.
Hayden Odom followed with three runs, one each from a triple, a double and a single.
Then it was Candace Sasser with three runs, two following walks and one after a single.
Lori Lee also scored three runs, all from singles. With one run apiece were Meredith Mikel, Kayla Wiggins, Laci Grissett and Heather Self.
The runs for Andalusia were split up into four in the first inning, three in the second, four in the fourth, two in the fifth, and four in the seventh.
Kamellia McSheridan led scoring for Greenville with three runs; one was after a single and two after walks.
With two runs apiece were Jo Townes and Ardith Washington. Townes walked twice and Washington had a single and a walk.
Notching one run each were Hope Gibson, Heather Norris, Ivory Crenshaw, Amanda Loftin and Brittany Till.
Greenville put its runs on the board with six in the second inning, five in the fifth and one in the sixth.
Andy’s winning pitcher was Heather Self, relieved in the top of the third inning by Hannah Spann; Amanda Loftin took the lions’ share of the loss for Greenville.
Andalusia 20, Greenville 7
In game number two, Andalusia brought out what appeared to be a secret weapon when they placed Candace Sasser (44) on the mound.
Sasser showed more &uot;fast-pitch&uot; style in her windup and delivery than any other pitcher seen on Greenville fields this year.
Although she only delivered straight fastballs, and her accuracy was not finely-tuned, Sasser was able to intimidate the Greenville players by pitching in such a way that the ball was not visible until it emerged from beside her hip, the way fast-pitching is intended to be styled.
The result was catching the Greenville batters off-guard, causing them to swing early, or not swing at all for a called-strike.
Ardith Washington led the Greenville team, visitors in game two, with her three runs scored after two walks and a single.
With one run each were Hope Gibson, Jo Hester, Ivory Crenshaw and Heather Norris.
Greenville’s runs were scattered throughout the game, with three in the first, one in the second and sixth, and two in the fourth innings.
Andalusia’s scoring was led by Maryanne Taylor with four runs, three from singles and one after a double.
Hayden Odom crossed the plate three times, walking twice and hitting one single.
Also scoring three times was Cristen Sasser, after two singles and a walk from being struck by a pitch.
In addition, Lori Lee scored three runs, once from a double, once from a single and once after a walk.
Ashley Turner scored twice, once each after a triple and a walk.
Pitcher Candace Sasser also was a powerhouse at bat, scoring twice after knocking a triple and a double.
Kayla Wiggins scored one run on a single.
Sasser was the winning pitcher for Andalusia, and Amanda Loftin took the loss for Greenville.
Andalusia, besides carrying the taller of the two trophies home to Covington County, will also be playing in the District Championship Tournament.