Clarkdale, Mooreville meet again
By By Jeff Byrd / sports editor
May 1, 2003
Two teams quite familiar with one another meet again for the Class 1A-2A Fast-pitch Softball Championship.
Game one of the best of three series between defending champion Clarkdale and last year's runner-up Mooreville begins tonight at 6 p.m. at Lady Bulldog Field in Clarkdale.
Clarkdale has been unbeatable in the playoffs winning all six of its playoff games by double-digit run margins. This included last Saturday's two-game demolition of Bogue Chitto (14-0 and 13-3) for the South State 1A-2A title at Clarkdale.
Lady Bulldog head coach Rick Roberson says a strong regular season schedule is the reason why Clarkdale is rolling past its playoff foes.
The tough regular season schedule left Clarkdale 15-7. But with six playoff wins, the Lady Bulldogs are 21-7 going into the rematch with Mooreville, a team they beat in three games in last year's finals in Jackson.
Howard is the Lady Bulldog ace and she is 4-0 in the playoffs. She beat Mooreville in game one and game three of last year's series.
The second positive improvement has been on offense.
Howard and Orr have been the team leaders in batting for the season. Orr had two home runs in the opening series victory over Enterprise-Lincoln. Howard smacked a home run and drove in four runs in an 11-0 rout of Our Lady Academy to clinch the second-round series.
Mooreville is 30-6 on the season. They needed three games to beat Union in the second round and again to beat Eupora for North State. All three games against Eupora were decided by one run including the game three clincher at Eupora, 5-4.
Elizabeth Woolven and Anna Woolven share the pitching duties for the Troopers. Elizabeth Woolven is 15-5 on the year and got the win Monday at Eupora.
Third baseman Candy Shupert is the team's top power hitter.
Game two and three, if necessary, will be played on Saturday at Mooreville. Game times have not been determined.
