From Staff Reports
After getting swept by the Mildred Eagles in the regular season, the Mildred Crush returned the favor in district play.
Both teams are headed to the Texas Teen-Age Softball Junior League state tournament, scheduled to start July 20 in Early.
The Crush closed out the tournament Wednesday with a 10-0 win in four and a half innings, led by two Hollie Jones home runs and Marissa Evett on the mound.
The Crush won Tuesday night’s winners bracket final over the Eagles, 3-1, and had a thrilling 4-2 win in 13 innings Monday.
“We came out ready to play,” Crush coach Stuart Springer said. “After that 13 inning game, it proved to them they could hang with any team.”
Anna Keele went 3 for 3 and scored three runs for the Crush, who had nine hits total. The Eagles had five hits, two by Kaitlin Gorden.
The Eagles had to beat the Athens Crankit, 7-2, earlier Wednesday morning to get to the championship game.
“We came out (Wednesday) morning focused,” Eagles coach Shane Farmer said. “We hit the ball like we know how to hit.
“We knew it didn’t matter (in the championship), but we didn’t perform. When we go out there, we’re staying with the Crush and we’re going to root for each other.”
Both coaches said the two teams will work together, before and during the state tournament.
“We’re rivals on the field,” Springer said, “but off the field, we go to school together and live in the same neighborhoods. We’re going to stay at the same hotel, and we’ll probably even eat together.”
In other TTAS action Tuesday in Grandview, Mildred's Freshman (12-under) Eagles cruised in their district tournament, beating Italy 16-0 and Hillsboro, 16-1. They play again tonight at 8 p.m.
In Italy, the Rice Bratz joined the Mildred Eagles in the winner's bracket. Rice beat Ferris, 14-11, and faced Milford late Wednesday. The Mildred Eagles faced Frost late Wednesday.
PONY All-Stars
The Tigers Bronco All-Stars defeated Irving, 18-4, to win district in Kaufman Tuesday.
Carlos Vega pitched a complete game with 11 strikeouts. Alex Colon had three hits deep in right field for a single, double and triple.
Mark Mayfield, Tigers' coach, gave away two game balls to Vega for defensive player of the game and Colon for offensive player of the game.
The Tigers will travel to Rowlett Friday for the next round of tournament play.
On Wednesday, in the PONY 14s, action was rained out in Kaufman. The Tigers Gold team plays at 6:30 today, and with a win would advance to play the Blue for the championship.
