Selma’s staying alive
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, July 23, 2003
Selma’s 13-year-old All-Star Brad Averitt had clearly had enough.
His team lost a 9-1 first inning lead to Daphane. They battled back to tie the game at 11 in the top of the fifth inning.
With teammate Blake Robinson on second and two outs, Averitt ended the game and extended the All-Stars’ season with a game-winning double.
Averitt’s shot lifted Selma past Daphane, 12-11, Sunday afternoon in the 13-year-old Dixie Youth All-Stars State Tournament in Boaz.
It was a wild affair.
Coming off a disappointing Saturday loss, Selma exploded for nine runs in the first inning and appeared to be on their way to the easy win.
Daphane refused to go quietly.
They rallied for the tie, forcing Selma to fight back to stay alive in the double elimination tournament.
Averitt, Maloney and Robinson each had two hits for Selma.
Daphane took the early lead with a run in the top of the first.
Selma responded in a big way.
Robinson led off with a double and Averitt walked.
After a fly out to center, Jacoby Carter walked.
Robinson scored on a wild pitch that allowed Averitt to move over to third.
Justin Brown singled home a run and then stole second.
James Bennett and Jeremy Phillips followed with singles.
Darrius Steele worked a walk and eventually scored on a wild pitch.
Josh Clark doubled to keep the Selma rally going.
After Robinson’s fly out, Averitt reached base with his second walk of the inning.
He stole second and eventually scored on a wild pitch.
Maroney got Selma’s final hit of the inning with a single.
Daphane began the comeback in the top of the fourth inning. They batted around and scored seven runs in the frame to climb back into the game, 9-8.
Selma responded in the bottom of the inning. Averitt led off with a single and took second on a wild pitch.
Maroney followed with a triple and later scored on a wild pitch to increase the lead to 11-8.
Daphane tied the game in the fifth inning.
A walk and a single got the rally going.
Selma got the next two batters out but a two-out single plated a run.
A double scored two more runs and the game was all tied at 11.
The teams traded scoreless sixth innings and Selma dodged a bullet in the seventh.
After a lead off single, the runner advanced to second on a ground out.
Selma got out of the jam as James Bennett struck out the final two batters to end the threat.
After a pair of outs, Robinson reached on a double and took third on an error in center.
Averitt ended the game by driving the ball to the outfield for a double.
Selma advanced to a Monday game with Boaz.