Lady Dogs fall to Kirbyville
By GEORGIA PURDY Newsboy Correspondent

JASPER FRESHMAN SHELBY GRIFFIN fires a pitch home during her start against Kirbyville. The Lady Wildcats rallied late to defeat Jasper in the district opener for both squads. Jasper will return to home softball action this Friday when they take on Bridge City. Game time will be 6 p.m. Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy

The Jasper Lady Bulldog softball team lost their district opener 7-6 to Kirbyville Tuesday, Feb. 27. However, they came back to take third place consolation in the Center tournament over the weekend. Two weeks ago Jasper placed second in the Beaumont tournament.

Early in the Kirbyville game, Jasper was ahead by six runs before committing nine errors. The Lady Wildcats scored four runs in the fourth inning and two more in the sixth to tie the game 6-6. In the seventh, Kirbyville took a one-run lead. Jasper was unable to get a hit in the last inning.

Jasper placed fourth in their pool at the Center tournament, which put them up against Henderson Saturday. They lost that game 7-0 and then went on to defeat Alto 12-0 in game two.

"We had only one runner on base against Henderson," Coach Nancy Walker said. "Haley Walker got on base but we couldn't get the bats going. We didn't start hitting until the Alto game. We also played good defense against them."

Newsboy photos/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S JESSE CORDOVA fires a pitch home during the Kirbyville contest last week. Cordova came in to finish the contest.

Freshman Shelby Griffin pitched against Henderson and Jesse Cordova threw the Alto game.

"Both girls are doing a good job for us," Walker said."

At the plate, Haley Walker had two singles and a walk against Alto. Abby Dickerson laid down several bunts to help the score and Laura Fincannon hit a double to score two runs. Stormie Shivers hit a shot to right field for two RBIs.

"Defensively, we did well in this game," Walker said. "Laura Fincannon made several outs at third and Keyna Mason also had a good game. Jesse Cordova held Alto to two hits."

Jasper played Orangefield last night and will play Bridge City at home Friday night at 6 p.m.

Newsboy photos/Georgia Purdy JASPER'S LAURA FINCANNON, above, prepares for a play at third. Fincannon, a senior, is one of the key returning players for the Lady Bulldogs this year.