Wayne County 14-and-under softball wins district crown

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on July 5, 2004 1:06 PM

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KINSTON -- Julia Lancaster, weary from throwing an extra-inning game as the clock slowly clicked toward the midnight hour, found enough strength to throw another complete game well into Friday morning.

The Charles B. Aycock standout notched nine strikeouts as Wayne County 14-and-under softball stormed back from the losers' bracket to hand Lenoir County a 7-1 loss, its second straight, and claim the Babe Ruth District 8 tournament title. Wayne County finished 4-1 in the three-day, double-elimination event.

The team will now compete in the Babe Ruth state tournament in Camden, starting Thursday.

Shelly Lancaster provided two hits, while Haley Fail tripled and drove in three runs in the championship game. Lacie Hardy and Aubrey Reinhardt each contributed an RBI.

Wayne County forced the second game after Lancaster recorded 14 strikeouts in a 3-1, eight-inning win.

Southern Wayne standout Whitli Thornton provided two hits and two RBI. Fail and Alyssa Bradshaw each had a double. Aubrey Reinhardt provided a double and an RBI.

Wayne County began its march in consolation-round play with a 14-0 spanking of Greene County. Lauren Darden claimed the mound win, striking out nine.

Brittany King emerged the offensive leader with two hits and two RBI. Julia Lancaster slapped a triple and drove in three runs. Shelly Lancaster tripled twice and plated three runs.

Bradshaw and Darden combined for four hits.

Wayne County eliminated Duplin County 13-1. Julia Lancaster notched 12 strikeouts and Darden added one inning of two-strikeout relief. Officials shortened the contest to five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.

King delivered two hits, including a double, to go along with three RBI. Lindsey Pearsall added a double.

Lenoir County bounced Wayne County into the losers' bracket with a 6-0 win in opening-round play. King, Shelly Lancaster and Pearsall each had one hit in the shutout loss.

Julia Lancaster had 11 strikeouts on the mound. In four mound appearances, the right-handed hurler finished the tournament with 46 strikeouts.