Published: July 11, 2008 10:26 pm            

State host Russell-Flatwoods extends warm greeting

R-F team looks for another Little League softball crown

FLATWOODS — So far, it’s been nothing but smooth sailing for the Russell-Flatwoods 11-12 softball All-Stars.

Four games: 65 runs scored, 0 allowed.

Now, the team is looking to win a state championship at home.

Beginning today, the Russell-Flatwoods Complex will play host to three Little League softball state tournaments simultaneously.

Teams from all three age divisions — 9-10 and 10-11 are the others — gathered Friday night at the tournament site for kick-off festivities that included a catered picnic and player introductions.

Tournament director Bill Heaberlin said the event has received tremendous support from the community and beyond.

“They have gotten behind us,’’ Heaberlin said of sponsors and volunteers. “Although people in Flatwoods and Greenup County have stepped up big time, it’s not just them. This has been a Tri-State effort.’’

Russell-Flatwoods 11-12s will play East Ridge in one of today’s 1 p.m. opening games.

“It’s really good to have the tournament here this year,’’ said Mark Sparks, manager of the Russell-Flatwoods 11-12s. “It rotates around to people that have the facilities. Over the years, we have traveled to places like South London and Valley Sports (Louisville). It’s nice when you don’t have to go on the road.’’

Along with a busy schedule on two fields, Russell-Flatwoods Little League is extending additional hospitality.

“There’s a dance for the girls Saturday night at the (Russell) primary school,’’ Sparks said. “Sunday, our league has rented out Flatwoods pool. The league really went out and did this first class.’’

The age 11-12 tournament is the largest division with eight teams and will have a pool-play format. Russell-Flatwoods, East Ridge, Butler County and North Oldham make up one pool. The other has Marion County, Grayson, Red River and North Laurel.

Russell-Flatwoods rolled past Grayson 31-0 in the District 6 title game. Prior to that, R-F posted area wins over Louisa-Fort Gay (11-0), South Shore (13-0) and Greenup County (10-0).

“There’s a special chemistry about this team,’’ Sparks said. “They get along well. It’s a tight unit.’’

The same group has already won a state title in the 9-10 division.

“We have six or seven girls than can throw,’’ said Sparks, who is assisted by Barry Powell and Matt Peterman. “The hitting is pretty well-rounded and it’s the same in the field.’’

South Shore, the District 6 winner in the 9-10s, will open against North Oldham today at 3 p.m.

The 9-10 division is double elimination and has four teams. Others are South London and Olive Hill. South Shore beat Olive Hill 15-5 last Monday in Flemingsburg.

In area play, South Shore had wins over Greenup County (5-4) and Ashland (8-3), along with a loss to Russell-Flatwoods (2-0).

“Pitching and defensively, we are pretty solid,’’ said South Shore manager Mike Diller. “It seems like that’s the way we won through our area and district. We like our chances this weekend.’’

Kelsey Diller and Samantha Mitchell provide South Shore with a strong pitching combination.

The 10-11 tournament has three teams. North Oldham meets Jackson County today at 1 p.m., with the winner to face Russell-Flatwoods Sunday at 1.

Russell-Flatwoods has yet to play a game this summer, but manager Marcus Woods likes the way his team is coming along.

“We’ve been practicing about a month,’’ he said. “The girls have worked extremely hard and this is a much better team than when we started out.’’

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.

        

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