Published: May 20, 2008 10:43 pm            

Parsons shuts down G-Girl bats

TAZEWELL, Va. — It was a doggone good day for Tazewell Tuesday.

Natalie Parsons struck out 17 G-Girls in a dazzling two-hit shutout effort for the Lady Bulldogs (14-7) as THS earned a solid 12-0 victory over Graham in first round action of the Southwest District tournament.

The Lady Dogs will play Abingdon at 4:30 Thursday at Williams Field in Richlands in the second round. Graham (3-12) completed its season.

Tazewell pounded out 12 hits, highlighted by a six-run fourth inning.

“We took care of business today,” noted Lady Dog first baseman Katelyn Mitchell, who ripped two doubles and a triple, with 5 RBIs. “We played well and we will have to keep it up from here on.”

Mitchell doubled in Tiffany Harris in the opening frame with what proved to be the winning run. Harris had two hits and reached base four times. She ripped a line drive home run over the left field fence in the sixth inning.

“This was a good game for us, but it’s only the first round of the playoffs,” noted Harris. “On Thursday, we have to have our game faces on. This one is over and we have to move on in a hurry.”

The Lady Bulldogs added four stolen bases in an efficient offensive afternoon.

The improving G-Girls could not catch up to Parsons’ variety of pitches including a blazing fastball, but played hard throughout the contest.

Amber Roten broke up the no-hitter with a solid single up the middle with two outs in the third inning. Maegan Henry spanked another hit down the line in left in the fourth for GHS.

Graham starter Shannie Miller, who pitched the first four frames, gave up a pair of runs in each of the first two innings as the Lady Bulldogs patiently chipped away while building the lead.

“We had some mental mistakes but we had good effort overall,” said Graham coach Beverly Proffitt. “We will work hard and hope to get better in the future. Tazewell had our number today.”

Cara Stutso sparkled in left field for the G-Girls, making several good catches. Twice, Tazewell’s Kari Chaffin hit ringing line drives into the corner but both times Stutso made the catches to halt THS rallies.

Tazewell coach Tom Keene was pleased with his team’s afternoon.

“We played well. It was good to see Natalie get off to a strong start. We

hit pretty well and she was able to keep Graham off balance,” Keene said. “We didn’t have to play a lot of defense but when we needed to, we did. You can’t ask for more than that. Graham played hard the whole way.”

Sydnei Lester added two hits and two RBIs for Tazewell.



Graham......................................000 000 — 0

Tazewell.....................................221 611 — 12

WP – Parsons. LP-Miller. HR –Harris (TZ).

        

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