Tigers flashing good leather
By Staff
Kim West
Franklin County Times
There's a well-worn sports adage that says defense wins championships.
After watching the Russellville 9-10 All-Stars cruise past Tuscaloosa-Central 26-1 Friday and Sheffield 17-3 Monday in the District 6 tournament at Sheffield Youth Park, I couldn't help but notice the superiority of the Russellville defense.
It's obvious that Russellville, the defending district champions, has the most dangerous batting order in a tournament that includes talented All-Stars from Phil Campbell, Sheffield, Tuscaloosa-Central and Tuscaloosa-Barnes.
But Russellville also has a defense that helps them dominate games, and clean glovework will be vital for a deep run in the much-tougher state tournament, should the Tigers clinch its seventh district title in the past eight years tonight.
The anchor of Russellville's defense in this tournament has been centerfielder Reed Smith, who had a perfect 2-for-2 night at the plate Monday with a double, triple, three RBIs and four runs scored.
Smith recorded four of Sheffield's 12 outs in the first three innings, including three clean grabs of fly balls hit to center field. And in the top of the third inning, he backed up a passed ball in left field and threw out a sliding Caunr Gregory at third.
Smith also made a crowd-pleasing play in Russellville's win against Tuscaloosa-Barnes when he robbed T.J. Gibson of hit in the bottom of the third with a sliding catch in deep centerfield.
A lot of times at youth games, fans hold their breath when a ball is lofted to the outfield or a grounder is hit sharply through the infield. But with this group, you're a lot more surprised when a double play isn't turned or a ball gets through the shortstop-second base combo of Judd Ward and Taylor Vincent.
The most interesting thing about this team is I don't think we've seen their best game yet. If you haven't seen these kids play ball yet, come on out tonight and support the home team at Sheffield Youth Park at 5:30 p.m.
Kim West is sports editor for The Franklin County Times. She can be reached at kim.west@fct.wpengine.com or (256) 332-1881, ext. 30.
