The Washington 8U All-Stars kicked off bracket play with a big win on Thursday as they downed the Jamesville All-Stars 14-2 in the ENC Babe Ruth state tournament.
With the win, Washington not only avenged a tough loss in last week’s District 6 championship game, but also improved confidence for a team that appears to have found its grove.
“We’re a completely different team right now,” Washington coach Scott Campbell said. “We’ve moved our defense around a little bit and put some players in better strategic positions and that’s the difference.”
After allowing two runs in the first, the Washington defense stepped up and shut out Jamesville the rest of the way thanks to a stellar defensive effort that produced two double plays.
“We made some spectacular defensive plays,” Campbell said. “Lacie (Campbell) caught one that was well over her head. Savannah Hale had an unassisted double play at first base and second baseman Olivia Paszt had one where she tagged the runner and threw to first.”
Washington’s offense was equally strong on Thursday as Chloe Boyd went 3-3 with a home run and four RBIs, while Paszt and Campbell each went 3-3 and scored three times.
“Our bats have finally come alive,” Campbell said. “We had two or three girls that have really started hitting and that’s the difference. “
Jamesville took a 2-0 lead when Addison Dotson and Macy Bowen each had RBI singles in the first, but Jamesville would not get on the board again.
“Washington hit the ball and hit it good and we made some errors,” Jamesville coach Earl Bowen said. “When that happens the runs add up and then we just didn’t hit the ball.”
Washington struck for five runs in the first to go ahead 5-2 and broke the game open in the second thanks to a four-run rally in which Paszt, Gardner, Boyd and Alexis Spain each had RBIs to put Washington up 9-2.

Jamesville    200    0    —    2
Washington    545    X    —    14
Hitting: J — Kendall Furlough 1-3, Emilee Perry 1-3 (1R), Shelby Craddock 1-2, Addison Dotson 1-2 (RBI), Macy Bowen 1-3 (RBI), Lacie Gardner 1-2, Natalie Grimes 1-2, Lauren Asby 1-2; W  — Olivia Paszt 3-3 (3R, RBI), Lacie Campbell 3-3 (3R), Abby Gardner 1-3 (R, RBI), Chloe Boyd 3-3 (HR, 4 RBI), Erin Everette 1-3 (2 RBI), Alexis Spain 1-3 (3B), Bryan Miller 1-3 (RBI), Shalee Chrismon 1-3, Savannah Hale 1-3, Emory Watkins 2-3 (1R)º.