By By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
YEATESVILLE — Despite frigid temperatures, there were good crowds on hand to watch the championship games of the first Washington Daily News/Northside Easter Invitational.
The Northside Panthers posted a 7-3 win over the Southside Seahawks to claim the baseball championship, while the Washington Pam Pack knocked off Southside, 6-0, to earn the softball title.
Keith Boyd, the athletic director and baseball coach at Northside, was pleased with the tournament.
Four baseball teams and eight softball squads participated in the two-day tournament at Northside High School. While Northside softball players helped rake the field between games, several volunteers did their part to ensure the tournament ran smoothly, whether it was working in the concession stand or picking up trash.
Friday’s playing conditions were ideal as teams played under sunny skies and temperatures in the 80s. Fans broke out the suntan lotion and Sno-Cones were sold at a rapid pace.
The weather changed drastically on Saturday as players had to endure a 40-degree drop from the previous day’s playing temperature. A light rain fell at times, while a steady breeze made things even colder. Fans bundled up under blankets and hot chocolate was the hot ticket at the concession stand.
That didn’t stop the action from heating up on the fields.
Washington was the hottest team during the softball tournament, as the Pam Pack outscored its opponents 22-0. Charity Watson and Lily Ann Arnold were dominant on the mound. Watson struck out 26 batters and gave up just two hits in 12 innings of work. Arnold fanned seven and gave up two hits in seven innings.
The Pam Pack bats were on fire as the team cranked out 39 hits. Each starter had at least three hits over the three games.
Marissa Fucito, who hit a home run, triple, double and drove in four runs, and Kayla Spain each had six hits to lead the offensive attack. Spain also homered in the tournament.
Watson had four hits, while Kristy Wood (home run, three RBI), Lauren Allen, Arnold, Brittany Moss, Amber Alligood and Stacey Mayer all had three hits.
Northside was led at the plate by Amanda Daw, who banged out five hits. Casey Alligood ripped four hits, including a home run. Lauren Rodriguez also had four hits and drove in four, while Whitney Lewis added three hits.
Southside used a balanced attack and timely hitting to win two games. Sydney Harding, Mandy Harding, Chelsi Chandler and Kelli Hardison all had good plate appearances and made special plays on the base paths, while pitcher Gabby Cilluffo was solid as usual.
Two rivals met on the baseball diamond to decide the championship. William Rushton was superb on the mound to help lead the Panthers past the Seahawks.
Colby Mason had four hits in two games for Northside, while Tyler Woolard and Dee Martin had three. Zach Boyd added two hits.
The Seahawks got three hits from Kevin Sparks, Sam Jarman and Jamie Blackard.
WDN/Northside Easter Invitational
SOFTBALL
Champions: Washington (3-0)
Runner-up: Southside (2-1)
Third: Currituck (2-1)
Fourth: Northside (1-2)
Fifth: Edenton (2-1)
Sixth: West Craven (1-2)
Seventh: Manteo (1-2)
Eighth: Farmville Central (0-3)
BASEBALL
Champions: Northside (2-0)
Runner-up: Southside (1-1)
Third: Halifax Academy (1-1)
Fourth: Northampton-East (0-2)