jhofficial
08-09-2007, 09:50 PM
By Brandon Hughes
The Daily Reflector
Thursday, August 09, 2007
WILSON — Pitt County coach Keith Gould has said all week that anyone could step up and lead his team in the 12U Babe Ruth Softball World Series.
Brittney Everett was next in line as she delivered the game-winning hit in a 2-1 victory over Angola, Ind., in tournament play on Wednesday.
"I was telling Brittney after the game, all I wanted was a base hit," Gould said. "She exceeded my expectations and hit the gap to come up with the game-winning hit."
The contest was tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth when Alecia Gurkins reached on a fielder's choice. With two outs, Everett lined an opposite field shot into the gap in right-center and Gurkins motored home all the way from first on the triple.
"That's what we've said all along," Gould said. "We never know who is going to be the hero as far as offense goes. Thank goodness our pitching held us in place until we could come up with the big hit."
Tyndall Brock was dominant on the mound for the second straight game, allowing just three hits and striking out eight. Gurkins came in and pitched a perfect sixth to earn the win.
Angola plated its lone run in the bottom of the fifth when Ashton Sellers led off with an infield single and scored on an error.
"Tyndall is a fireball," Gould said. "What you see is what you're going to get from her. She just rears back and comes at you.
"With her, I don't even try to call a location for her fastball. She's going to be up, inside, outside. Then she throws the changeup in there every now and then and that makes her that much tougher."
Pitt County witnessed opportunities to seize an early lead fall by the wayside. Katarina Hudson and Lauren Moore drew walks and Brock reached on an infield single to load the bases in the bottom of the first, but Angola starter Erica Zachrich was able to escape the jam.
Kori Adams led off the second frame with a hit up the middle and Gurkins followed with a bunt single. Taylor Matkins brought home Adams for the game's first run on an RBI double to left field. But Angola limited the damage once again, stranding runners on second and third.
Pitt County's best chance to take the lead before Everett's heroics came in the fifth frame. Shannen Adams led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and wild pitch. Moore hit a line drive to right field but it was hauled in by Angola for the third out.
Katie Goings led Angola with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. Everett finished 2-for-2 with a triple and an RBI.
Pitt County will face in-state rival Johnston County in the winner's bracket final at 9 p.m. today.
Brandon Hughes can be reached at bhughes@coxnc.com, or at (252) 329-9593.
The Daily Reflector
Thursday, August 09, 2007
WILSON — Pitt County coach Keith Gould has said all week that anyone could step up and lead his team in the 12U Babe Ruth Softball World Series.
Brittney Everett was next in line as she delivered the game-winning hit in a 2-1 victory over Angola, Ind., in tournament play on Wednesday.
"I was telling Brittney after the game, all I wanted was a base hit," Gould said. "She exceeded my expectations and hit the gap to come up with the game-winning hit."
The contest was tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth when Alecia Gurkins reached on a fielder's choice. With two outs, Everett lined an opposite field shot into the gap in right-center and Gurkins motored home all the way from first on the triple.
"That's what we've said all along," Gould said. "We never know who is going to be the hero as far as offense goes. Thank goodness our pitching held us in place until we could come up with the big hit."
Tyndall Brock was dominant on the mound for the second straight game, allowing just three hits and striking out eight. Gurkins came in and pitched a perfect sixth to earn the win.
Angola plated its lone run in the bottom of the fifth when Ashton Sellers led off with an infield single and scored on an error.
"Tyndall is a fireball," Gould said. "What you see is what you're going to get from her. She just rears back and comes at you.
"With her, I don't even try to call a location for her fastball. She's going to be up, inside, outside. Then she throws the changeup in there every now and then and that makes her that much tougher."
Pitt County witnessed opportunities to seize an early lead fall by the wayside. Katarina Hudson and Lauren Moore drew walks and Brock reached on an infield single to load the bases in the bottom of the first, but Angola starter Erica Zachrich was able to escape the jam.
Kori Adams led off the second frame with a hit up the middle and Gurkins followed with a bunt single. Taylor Matkins brought home Adams for the game's first run on an RBI double to left field. But Angola limited the damage once again, stranding runners on second and third.
Pitt County's best chance to take the lead before Everett's heroics came in the fifth frame. Shannen Adams led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and wild pitch. Moore hit a line drive to right field but it was hauled in by Angola for the third out.
Katie Goings led Angola with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. Everett finished 2-for-2 with a triple and an RBI.
Pitt County will face in-state rival Johnston County in the winner's bracket final at 9 p.m. today.
Brandon Hughes can be reached at bhughes@coxnc.com, or at (252) 329-9593.