Concordia Parish All-Stars game cut short due to weather
Published 12:01 am Tuesday, June 30, 2015
![Concordia All-Star shortstop Blake Grayson catches the ball to force Caldwell’s Taryn Varnell out at second base. The game was postponed due to inclement weather. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)](https:https://www.natchezdemocrat.com//wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2015/06/063015Baseball1_bh.jpg)
Concordia All-Star shortstop Blake Grayson catches the ball to force Caldwell’s Taryn Varnell out at second base. The game was postponed due to inclement weather. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)
VIDALIA— The Concordia Parish All-Star’s bid to advance past the sub-district was put on hold Monday as storms forced a game against Caldwell to be delayed.
“It is rough,” Concordia head coach Arin Rushing said. “I just hope we can show up with the same attitude when we make the game up and prep them to come out the same way, but that is something they’ve got to learn.”
The game has a lot riding on it with each team vying for the third spot to advance past sub-district. Concordia is 1-1 in the tournament, while Caldwell is 0-2.
Rushing said he kept the message to his team simple before Monday’s contest.
“All they had to do was show up as a team and keep their heads in the game,” he said. “They showed it in our game (Sunday) and we got a big win and that put us in this position. Each kid showed up, and so far, through the first inning, we started at a good pace. If we can keep that up, it’ll work out for us.”
Only four batters came to the plate in the game, all in the top of the first for Caldwell.
However, Concordia was able to limit them to just a single and once the third out was recorded, umpires waved the teams off the field.
Despite facing a team that hasn’t won a game in the tournament, Rushing said it is important for the team to play their best baseball.
“I always tell them, don’t take anything for granted,” Rushing said. “Bring your ‘A’ game against every team and never underestimate anyone.”
Rushing said if his team was to advance, it would be a special experience for not only them, but also for him.
“I’ve believed in these kids for the past six years,” he said. “The core of this team is the same kids. I’ve watched them grow as ball players and as kids, and that is a great experience.”