Published: June 25, 2008 10:49 am         

Local duo fares well as softball all-stars

A pair of local softball all-stars got a chance to show off their skills during the Mississippi Association of Coaches Class 1A-2A-3A Slow-pitch All-Star Softball Games on Friday.

Samantha Miller of Weir picked up three hits in the doubleheader, while Kanesha Merritt of Ethel went 1-for-3 in each game.

Despite their efforts the South team fell short in the games 18-6 and 9-6.

Merritt ripped a double in the fourth inning of the first game, but was thrown out trying to stretch it into a triple.

In the second game of the double header she smacked a two-run in the seventh inning for the South.

Miller had a single and scored a run in the first game, while banging out two hits and scoring another run in the second.

The games were delayed an hour and 37 minutes, but when the water was cleared the bats had no trouble cranking up.

Katie Waldrop of North Pontotoc knocked in a record six runs in the North’s 12-run win in the opener. The South scored three runs in the top of the first inning , but the North lasted little time to respond. They sent 13 batters to the plate in the bottom of the inning, scoring eight runs.

Sara Smith highlighted the attack with a two-run triple in the inning, while Waldrop blasted a three-run homer in right-field center. Danielle Frederick of Wheeler was 4-for-4 for the North.

The North went on to build an 18-3 lead before South began to mount a comeback.

The South once again jumped out to an early lead in the second game, building a 4-2 edge with three runs in the bottom of the forth. But the North pushed five runs across in the fifth to take control of the game.

Martika Ivy of Southeast Lauderdale was named the Most Valuable Player for the South team.

Smith also had a big game for the North in the nightcap, ripping two singles and a triple to drive in four runs.

Chelsea Pugh of host Newton County High School and Miller led the South with two hits each in the game.

The North now leads the series 2-0-1.

In the 5A-4A slow-pitch game the North swept the South by scores of 11-2 and 8-7.