Ferriday remains alive in World Series

Published 12:04 am Tuesday, August 4, 2015

MONROE, La. — Four Ferriday Gators pitchers combined to throw a one-hitter as they defeated Florida 6-1 Monday afternoon to keep their season alive at the 2015 Dixie Debs World Series.

Taylor Rodgers was the winning pitcher as she gave up nothing – no runs, no hits, no walks – in her two innings of work. And she got the run support she needed as Ferriday scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning for a 4-1 lead.

Rodgers was the third of four Ferriday pitchers used in the game. Paige Bryan got the start and allowed Florida’s only hit – a solo home run by Kelsea Vandeveer. Bryan also struck out two in two innings.

Email newsletter signup

The Gators got that run back in the top of the second inning and it remained 1-1 until they pulled away in the fifth. Marty Lewis had one strikeout in her one inning of work. Emilee Howard struck out the side in the bottom of the seventh and finished with four strikeouts in her two innings.

“Yesterday we gave up three hits. Today we gave up one hit and no walks,” Gators head coach Rut Horne said.

Ferriday added to its lead with one run in the top of the sixth inning and one run in the top of the seventh. The Gators ended up with 13 hits and were led by Bailey Book, who went 3-for-3, and Tali Beard, who was 2-for-3 with a double. Emilee Smith also went 2-for-3.

“We hit the ball hard. We shuffled our lineup around a little bit. We put a couple of players up in the lineup,” Horne said. “Every one of them can hit. Bailey Book, our No. 10 hitter, was 3-for-3.”

The Ferriday Gators will look to stave off elimination once again when it takes on Texas at 9 a.m. today.

Vidalia 2, Delaware 3 (Senior League World Series)

LOWER SUSSEX, Del. — Elizabeth Smith pitched all seven innings in what head coach Wesley McCarver called a great showcase against Delaware.

Unfortunately for Vidalia, as good as the team was, Delaware was just a little bit better, one run better in fact.

Madison Johnston led the team in hitting in the loss, going 2-for-2 with two singles and a walk. Meanwhile Vidalia’s Shelby Vinet recorded an RBI triple. Anna McDaniel, Delicia Caesar and Laken Hood each recorded singles for Vidalia in the loss.

Following the loss, Vidalia will continue through pool play, taking on Gaum at 11:30 a.m. today.