9-10 All-Stars cruise
By Staff
JACKSON – The Russellville 9-10 Little League All-Stars opened the state tournament with a pair of wins and is only one more victory away from clinching a spot in the finals.
Russellville opened the tournament with an 18-8 victory against Phenix City. Austin Kitterman earned the win on the mound, pitching 22/3 innings and striking out five.
Cody Greenhill hit two doubles, and a single to lead Russellville while Trey Williams and Samuel Evans each hit a double and a triple.
Judd Ward added two doubles, Joshua Seal homered and Kitterman tripled while Reed Smith and Hunter James each singled.'
Seal and Greenhill each pitched relief.
Russellville scored three runs in the first inning, four runs in the third, four runs in the fourth and seven in the fifth before the game ended by mercy rule.
Russellville continued to dominate in its second game, beating Jackson 14-5.
Three players were one hit short of the cycle in the victory – Seal hit a homer, double and single; Smith hit a homer, triple and double; and Williams hit a triple, double and single.
Kitterman added two doubles while Greenhill homered and hit a single. Ward hit a triple and two singles while Evans doubled and singled.
Colin Garrison and James each singled.
Russellville led 2-1 after the first inning and added three more runs in the second to take control of the game. Russellville outscored Jackson 4-3 in the third inning, 2-1 in the fourth inning and 3-0 in the fifth inning to take a 14-5 lead.
Neither team scored in the sixth inning.
Ward picked up the win, striking out four Jackson batters in 31/2 innings on the mound. Taylor Vincent and Smith both pitched in a relief role.
With the wins Russellville remained in the Winners' Bracket. The team played Cottage Hill Tuesday night, but the game ended too late to be included in today's paper.
If Russellville defeated Cottage Hill, it clenched a spot in the finals of the state tournament. If it lost, Russellville will have to battle Brewton and Jackson in the Losers' Bracket to reach the finals.
