Wednesday, June 13, 2001

Screamers win a title in paradise

The South Metro Screamers 18 and Under "A" traveling fast pitch softball team returned from Panama City, Fla. last week as champions of the USFA "Fastpitch in paradise" tournament. After dropping the first two games in pool play, the Screamers reeled off four consecutive wins to capture the title.

Pitcher Kelsey McBride of Starr's Mill High School won two of the three games played on Sunday, including a 7-1 decision over the Clearwater Bullets in the championship. Nicki Jones, also of Starr's Mill, went three for three with three RBIs, while Julie Barnes of East Coweta High School went three for four with a double and a two run homerun. Sandy Creek's Krystal McBride got the inning off to a roaring start with a double, igniting a four run third inning and breaking a 1-1 tie.

Shortstop Jessica DeMooney and Catcher Carrie Rountree, both of Sandy Creek High School, made great defensive plays. Right fielder Stephanie Bassett of Heritage high School twice made running catches for third outs, leaving Bullet runners stranded.

The championship game was somewhat anticlimactic, as the Screamers had prevailed in the preceding game in a thrilling fashion over the Mobile Thrillers. Jonesboro High School's Kim Clark hit two solo homeruns and drove in two more with a single, but the Thrillers closed the distance to 5-3 before hitting into a double play and fouling out. Earlier that day, the Screamers defeated the Alabama Wizards, 9-1. Their first win of the tournament came against the Columbus Peaches Elite. The Screamers won 2-0 thanks to Leia Patterson of Union Grove High School who drove in the winning run with a bunt single.

Other players who contributed to the championship were Kat Lynn of Morrow High School, Renae Clark of McIntosh High School, Dee Dee Walker of Forest Park High School and Rebecca Ramsey of Stockbridge High School. The team, was coached by Roy DeMooney and managed by Dwight Rountree. Theteam will play in Birmingham, Ala. this weekend.

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