Trojans grab Quitman Invitational title

By By Carver Rayburn / staff writer
March 13, 2003
QUITMAN Northeast Lauderdale and Quitman faced off in the final game of the Quitman Invitational Wednesday night, with the Trojans pulling off a 9-4 win to claim the championship.
Both teams finished 3-1 in the tournament overall, but Northeast won the head-to-head match-up to earn the first place trophy.
The Trojans (8-2) started swinging the bats early and tallied eight runs in their first two at bats to give themselves the cushion needed in the win.
Northeast head coach Chris Harper said he saw improvement in his team's play over the course of the tournament. Northeast lost its opening game of the tournament 4-3 to Raymond before winning their final three games.
The Trojans got things rolling in the top of the first and took advantage of three walks in the opening inning.
Northeast freshman pitcher Nathan Peden belted a two-run triple down the right-field line, with runners on first and third with two outs. He finished the game going 2-for-3 at the plate, with two RBIs.
In the top of the second, Northeast continued its offensive push scoring five runs on four hits.
Junior third baseman Andrew Siciliano got the ball rolling with a double off the left-field wall. Sophomore Cory Chance and senior Drew Anderson followed with back-to-back RBI doubles for a 5-0 advantage.
Siciliano went 3-for-3, with one RBI, and Anderson wrapped up the evening with a 2-for-4 performance, with one RBI.
After senior Wesley Gray drew a walk, junior Jason Pritchett blasted a monster shot about 370-feet over the left-field wall to bring in three more Trojans' runs.
The Panthers got on the board in the bottom of the third inning with an RBI single by senior third baseman Jonathan Russell. Russell went 2-for-3, with two RBIs and two walks.
Quitman threatened Northeast's lead again in the bottom of the fifth inning, with back-to-back RBI doubles of its own by junior Adam Harper and Jonathan Russell. Harper went 2-for-3, with one RBI and two walks.
But the offensive punch faltered often for the tournament's host team, as the Panthers stranded 12 runners over seven innings.
In the bottom of the first inning, Panthers head coach Brett Rigby argued a call with the umpire about an apparent balk that would have given Quitman a run if called.
Harper got the start for the Panthers (7-5). He pitched five innings giving up eight runs on on eight hits, with five walks and striking out three.
Harper was relieved by sophomore Vance Taylor in the fifth inning. Taylor worked two innings giving up one run on two hits and striking out four.
Northeast sent freshman Nathan Peden to the mound to pick up the win.
Sophomore Jacob Garett picked up the save for the Trojans pitching two innings giving up one run on no hits, while walking two and hitting two. Garett also had two strike outs.
In early action, Quitman defeated on Union 12-2, and Quitman B-team rallied in bottom of the fifth inning to beat Northeast B-team 6-5.
Quitman will be back in action on Thursday in a district game against Magee on the road. The Panthers will host Northeast Lauderdale in a district game on Tuesday.
Northeast will travel to Florence and Madison Central on Friday and Saturday, respectively.