PHS, Kinston meet today
Published 11:56 pm Friday, March 13, 2009
Pleasant Home and Kinston will meet today in a battle of Class 1A powers after both teams vanquished first round opponents Friday night at the Andalusia Annual High School Tournament at the Andalusia Sports Complex. The teams will battle in the winners bracket at 11:30 a.m.
Pleasant Home defeated New Brockton 10-4 and Kinston beat Andalusia, 6-1.
Pleasant Home 10,
New Brockton 4
The Lady Eagles rushed out to a 5-1 lead over New Brockton before their opponent rallied to cut that advantage to 5-4 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning.
But Pleasant Home responded right back with a flurry of its own, tacking on five runs.
Brittany Ward’s RBI groundout scored Erin Byrd and Ariel Gunter followed with an RBI double that scored Katie Reeves. Raven Woods pinch ran for Gunter and scored on an RBI single from Megan Cook. Cook then came home to score when Gina Davis hit a line drive that was bobbled in the outfield for an inside the park home run.
“I’m real proud of the offense and the way we rallied after they cut into our lead,” Pleasant Home coach Jimmy Reeves said.
He added that he knows his Pleasant Home (6-0) team will face a tough challenge from top ranked Kinston (11-1).
“They’re a very good rival for us and you always have to be ready to go when you face them,” he said.
Kinston 6, Andalusia 1
Andalusia battled hard with its powerful Kinston opponent, trailing 2-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning.
Kinston broke the game open with a bases-clearing double with two outs, leading to the final 6-1 score.
“We had a seventh grader pitching (Abbie Young) against the top team in Class 1A and she shut them down for most of the game,” Andalusia coach Anthony Mikel said. “I’m very proud of my team for battling. We have a lot of youth this year and each game we’re getting better.”
Andalusia scored its lone run in the top of the second inning. Paige Caraway reached on an error and took second on defensive indifference. Megan Pugh singled, putting runners on the corners with two outs.
On the next at-bat, Pugh broke to steal second and the throw was off the mark as Caraway came in to score the run. Pugh was eventually thrown out in a rundown, but the run counted.
Andalusia 5, Wicksburg 2
The Lady Bulldogs got off to a quick start with three runs in the first inning on the way to an opening-round 5-2 victory.
Kristin Evans scored twice and Samantha Greene, Jessica Centner and Kristen Finley each scored one run.
Other county scores at the tournament: Rehobeth 14, Florala 0; Straughn defeats Red Level (forfeit).
Today’s games: Wicksburg vs. Florala, 10:15 a.m.; Andalusia vs. winner of New Brockton-Greenville, 10:15 a.m.; Straughn vs. Rehobeth, 11:30 a.m.; Kinston vs. Pleasant Home, 11:30 a.m.