By Staff
Staff Reports
VARINA, Va. — Washington is moving on to the championship round of the Southeast Regional 12U softball tournament after taking down Marshall County, Tenn. in an elimination game Saturday night.
The Washington 12U softball all-stars overwhelmed Marshall County, Tenn. 6-2 in the 6 p.m. game at Dorey Park. It was the team’s second win over the Tennessee representative in the tournament, and vaulted Washington to the championship game against backyard rival Pitt County today at 1 p.m. If Washington wins the 1 p.m. game, it plays Pitt County again at 3 p.m. for a chance to represent the Southeast Regional in the World Series in Wilson.
The team advanced over Marshall County, Tenn. behind a strong pitching performance from Hailey Hutchens. Hutchens gave up only three hits and had three strikeouts in the win.
Washington did all of its scoring in the first and third innings.
Katie Dority (2-3) got the first rolling for Washington with a single to deep short. Hailey Wright (1-3) followed with an RBI double down the left field line. Adrianna Tyson (1-2) hit a double of her own to right-center, scoring Wright. Tyson did the rest herself, advancing to third and then scoring on passed balls.
In the third inning, Harley Hudson made it to second base on an error. The error set up a drag bunt single by Dority, advancing Hudson to third. Hudson scurried in for a run on a passed ball, before Tyson hit an RBI groundout to score Dority.
With none on and two outs, Kaylee Jackson (1-2) smashed a double and came home on another double by Kelsey Lang to left field.
Washington was forced to face off against Marshall County, Tenn. after losing to Pitt County 3-1 earlier in the day.
Lang gave up five hits in the losing effort, while Hutchens (2-2) drove in Washington’s lone run.
Also collecting hits were Wright (1-1), Dority (1-3), Tyson (1-2) and Ann Hunt Tanner (1-2, 2B).
Washington will get a shot for redemption as it looks to beat Pitt County for the first time in postseason play this year.