MONROE, La. — The Ferriday Gators rolled through the competition Tuesday on their way to winning the Louisiana Dixie Debs District Tournament championship, first defeating Winnsboro 17-1 in five innings before taking care of Delhi 24-0 in five innings in the title game.

“We played very good defensively, all the kids. In the four games, we scored 72 runs and gave up two,” Gators head coach Rut Horne said. “We played some really good ball defensively and offensively.”

In the first game of the day, winning pitcher Laura Perilloux and relief pitcher Mollie Devening combined on a one-hitter. Perilloux struck out two batters and walked two in three innings. Devening allowed one run on one hit and one walk to go with two strikeouts in two innings.

Perilloux helped her own cause by going 3-for-4 with a double and a triple. Kennedy Beard went 3-for-3 with a double, Ginny Daggett was 3-for-3 and Savannah Johnston was 2-for-4 with a double.

In the championship game, Delhi had no chance against the Gators and perhaps the only surprising thing was that this game went five innings.

“The level of competition wasn’t as good as it has been. In the past they’ve beaten us,” Horne said. “We played hard and it showed. The team speed is what up the 72 runs up.”

Devening went three innings and gave up two hits and struck out three in three innings. Ellen Bairnsfather came on in relief and went the final two innings. She allowed no hits, struck out one and walked none.

Delhi could not get Beard out at the plate as she went 5-for-5 with a double and a triple. Mollie Devening helped her own cause by going 4-for-5 with a double and Kimble Devening went 2-for-3. Johnston also had a triple and went 2-for-4.

“Tonight we had 23 hits. Many of them were small ball followed by line drives,” Horne said. “They were really hitting the ball hard tonight. Kennedy Beard went 8-for-8. Most of them were extra-base hits.”

Next up for the Ferriday Gators is the state tournament in Pineville, La., which starts on Saturday, July 20.

Ferriday 14, Mangham 3

MONROE, La. — Four Ferriday Dixie Belles pitchers combined on a two-hitter on the mound and seven of the team’s 12 hits as they defeated Mangham in five innings Tuesday afternoon to advance to the championship round of the Louisiana Dixie Belles District Tournament.

Winning pitcher Jania Burns gave up no runs on one hit and one walk. She struck out two batters while going 1-for-4 at the plate. Skylar Bolyer also went 1-for-4 and she allowed no runs on no hits with one walk in one inning. Megan Naquin allowed two runs on one hit and three walks in her one inning of relief and was 2-for-4. Brianna Henson gave up one run on no hits and two walks, struck out one and went 3-for-4.

Maecee Thornton and Leah Havard each went 2-for-4 while Emilee Waltman was 1-for-4 for Ferriday, which awaits the winner of the Winnsboro/Rayville game today at 6 p.m.

If Winnsboro wins, Ferriday would have to defeat Winnsboro twice to win district. If Ferriday defeats Winnsboro and force a second and deciding game, it will take place at 8 p.m. today.

If Rayville wins, all three teams will have one loss and Ferriday would have to play Rayville at 6 p.m. If Ferriday defeats Rayville, then it would take on Winnsboro at 8 p.m.