Rusk, Alto teams come up short in playoffs
BY LELAND ACKER STAFF WRITER

They played hard, but when the dust settled, the Rusk Lady Eagles, Alto Yellowjackets and Lady Jackets were out of the playoffs.

Rusk played in a three-game regional quarterfinal series against the Huntington Devillettes. In game one, Rusk held Huntington to a 1-0 score.

Callie Collins struck out seven Devillette batters, but Maria Yount's double and score in the 3rd inning gave Huntington the advantage they needed. Alison Bowling, Sierra Smith and Collins each had one hit in the game. Huntington only managed four hits.

Rusk had more offensive production in game two. The Lady Eagles were actually able to load the bases in the 1st inning, but Huntington Pitcher Carlie Thomas pitched two consecutive strike-outs to end the inning. Huntington then responded with three runs scored in the 2nd inning and a home run in the 3rd to win the game 4-0.

Jackets fall to Lovelady

in Area championship

Alto took an early series lead by defeating Lovelady 3-2 in game one. Clint Dover was the winning pitcher as Clint Pierce and Michael Parker each had two hits to aid in the win.

In game two, the Lovelady bats came alive, as they took a 12-6 win over Alto.

"They had some walks, but they hit pretty well and capitalized on that," said Coach John Paul Dixon.

Dover and Crisp had three hits each.

In game three, Alto ran out of pitchers and Lovelady won 18-6. Tarlandus Mitchell had a two-run homer.

Dallardsville Big Sandy defeated the Alto Lady Jackets in a best-of-three regional quarterfinal series. Big Sandy won game one by a score of 5-4, then went on to dominate in game two 7-1.