ALEXANDRIA, La. – The Ferriday Gators moved a step closer to clinching the Dixie Debs State Championship Tuesday night as they defeated Ward 10 (Tioga), 4-3, in dramatic fashion.

Tied at three, in the bottom of the sixth, Heather Miller bunted for a base hit and stole second only pitches later. Jenny Watson then laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Miller to third.

Miller scored a few pitches later when Kristyn Lovett hit a ground ball to second.

&uot;We’re the only undefeated team left,&uot; Gators coach Rutt Horn said after the game.

Since the tournament has an odd number of teams, the Gators must face Winfield, whom the Gators have already beaten.

Lovett carried the big bat for the 16- to 18-year-old team. She drive in two runs, scored one and collected two hits on three at-bats, including a triple.

Erin Hedrick, one of several tough pitchers on the Gators’ staff, picked up the win. She went the distance, and gave up only four hits.

In the Gators first match-up with Winfield, Horn said the team’s defense – which has kept them alive all year – let the down.

&uot;Our defense has carried the load, and we’ve had just enough offense to win,&uot; he said. &uot;It was just the opposite (vs. Winfield). The offense carried the load and the defense played just well enough to win.&uot;

The Gators’ pitching staff has done an outstanding job during the tournament, Horn said. Erin Hedrick, Miranda Doughty, and Watson have rotated through most games and allowed few hits and even less runs.