THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 27, 1994 TAG: 9407270574
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 46 lines
Four errors and three wild pitches proved to be detrimental to District 8, which fell, 2-1, to Woodbridge in what would have been the championship game of the Big League state softball tournament at Plaza Little League.
After losing, 2-1, to District 8 on Monday, Woodbridge handed the Norfolk-Va. Beach team its first loss and forced a second game today that will decide which team advances to the divisional tournament in Winston-Salem, N.C.
Shari Mayr, who got the first of six hits scattered by District 8 pitcher Missy Newby, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on an overthrow by third baseman Meredith Byrum.
Woodbridge threatened to blow the game open in the fourth when Macy Price hit what would have been a three-run home run. But the homer was ruled a dead ball when the second base umpire called runner Talia Lake out for leaving second too early.
Byrum doubled in the bottom of the fifth to score Newby, who had beaten out a hard shot to shortstop, for District 8's only run. Byrum was 3-for-4 on the day, with two doubles and a triple.
In the sixth, two errors and a hit loaded the bases for Woodbridge, and it appeared they would score again.
With only one out, Mayr attempted to tag up on Price's short fly ball to right. But outfielder Mary Tibbits threw to catcher Lisa Newnam, who managed to hang on after being bowled over by Mayr to end the threat.
Woodbridge's Gretchen Farwell walked to start the seventh, and pitcher Amy Wilfong laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance her. Newby then walked designated hitter Sarah Gingerich.
A wild pitch to Melissa Pickel advanced the runners to second and third. And with two balls and two strikes, Newby threw another wild pitch that scored Farwell.
District 8 came up short in the bottom of the seventh when Wilfong put the batters down in order.
The two teams will meet again at 11 a.m. today in the championship, also at Plaza Little League. by CNB