The hosting District III champs from Laurel came out Sunday evening with something to prove, battling the USA East leaders from West Cumberland, N.J. Behind confident pitching, courtesy of Stephanie Wheatley, and strategic batting all the way through the line-up, the team from Laurel walked away with Game 1 of the 2008 Little League Senior Softball World Series, 6-3.
Coastal Point • Ruslana Lambert
USA East's Desiree Rivera pivots to make a throw to first.
District III found an early lead as they made use of the short ball in the bottom of the opening inning, an aspect of the game that has evolved with the team. Bunts from Jenna Allen, Jenn Cahall and Wheatley brought runners home for an early 4-0 lead.
Not to be outdone, however, the East answered back, with a shot from right-fielder Shayna Perella to score the first run of the tournament for West Cumberland. Liane Drastal and Janelle Rodriguez knocked runs around in the second inning to bring the score within one.
The District III defense maintained their poise, however, as Brook Evans brought in a run in the fourth inning and Brittany Brittingham came around for the final score in the sixth.
LeAnne Miller threw six strike-outs and the New Jersey defense recorded two double plays, although they ultimately slipped in the series opener.
Alexis Oliphant and Brittingham each finished 2-3 on the day, while Yasmin Davis went 3-3 and was walked once. “[Yasmin’s] a bulldog,” said coach Jeff Evans. “She can hit both ways. She put on a show tonight, and that’s the kind of swinging we need to bring to all the games.”
Wheatley’s mindset on the mound didn’t sway much in the limelight of the World Series.
“I just play this like any other game,” said Wheatley. “I just play hard and hope to win. It takes a few times before I’m pitching my best. Sometimes, I need to get through the lineup a few times to understand who’s a good hitter.”
Coastal Point • Ruslana Lambert
Players from both team show sportsmanship at the end of the game.
“She definitely improves as the day goes on,” Evans agreed. “Those are the steps. [Stephanie Wheatey] is tough. She’s played in a lot of pressure situations and it definitely helps.”
An early victory gave the host team an idea of what lays ahead, as coach Evans hopes to advance in the days to come.
“You have no idea how important a win is in the first game,” he added. “A lot of these games can be won in the first inning, and you have to come out strong.”
He brought the team to the series last year, but was stopped short.
“There’s no substitute for last year’s experience,” he said. “That definitely helps us now.”