West Lauderdale moves into Dixie Youth District 4 finals
By By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
July 9, 2004
West Lauderdale came back swinging on Thursday night in the District Four Dixie Youth Minor League Tournament at Center Hill.
After being shut out on Tuesday night, West Lauderdale pounded out 18 runs on Thursday to beat West Side 18-3.
The win moves West Lauderdale to the championship against Philly on Friday night. The teams will play at 6 p.m. with the if-necessary set to follow at 7:30 p.m.
"We swung the bat good," said West Lauderdale coach Kevin Henson. "That's something we hadn't been doing. I'm proud of them."
West Side jumped out to an early lead with a run in the top of the first inning. Trevante Houston doubled and scored on a single by Marcus Horne.
West Lauderdale answered with four runs in the bottom of the first inning.
Caleb Carpenter reached on an error and Lucas Leeper ripped a shot by the shortstop.
After a walk by Gunnar Catlett, Grant Hill delivered a two-run single to make the score 2-1. Catlett scored on a wild pitch and Chase Stamper ripped a double to knock in the final run of the inning.
In the second inning, West Lauderdale poured on 10 runs. Garrett Hagan started the rally with a walk and Gage Hagan was hit by a pitch.
Jason Lashane and Brandon Robinson each followed with an RBI single and Carpenter reached on a grounder. Brett Daugherty singled to load the bases and Leeper cleared them by blasting a double to make the score 10-1.
Catlett singled in a run and Hill also ripped a single to keep the rally going. Trey Davis singled in a run and later scored on a wild pitch to make the score 14-1.
West Side scored two runs in the third inning on a two-run single by Deonte Eiland but West Lauderdale put the game away with four runs in the third inning. Kevin Henson knocked in a run and Leeper delivered another double to help West Lauderdale take the 18-3 run-rule victory.
Philadelphia 9-Year-Olds 7
East Mississippi 3
The Philadelphia 9-year-olds came away with a 7-3 victory over East Mississippi in an exhibition game on Thursday night.
Philly scored five runs in the third inning to pick up the win.
Peyton Clarke, Tanner Rhodes and Dean Mattar walked to start the inning. Chase McNair also walked and John Carr brought in a pair of runs with a rip to right field. After a walk by Johntrell Pickens, Drew Coates singled to cap off the five-run inning.
Philly added two runs in the fourth inning to secure the win.