KGLL SENIOR SOFTBALL TEAM WINS DISTRICT 15 CHAMPIONSHIP 

Saturday was a great day for softball with the sun brightly shining and the temps in the mid-seventies.  It was the perfect setting for the District 15 Little League Senior Softball Championship game.
King George headed to Warsaw to face the Richmond County All-Stars.  This game had been delayed for about three weeks but both teams were raring to go.  King George entered the game undefeated in District play while RC had lost one game to KG.  Richmond County would have to win two consecutive games to grab the Champion’s Banner while King George could lock it up with a first game victory.
King George started fast, hitting three singles and scoring their first run on a passed ball.  It looked like it would be a big inning but the next batter hit into a double play and the following batter struck out.  The second inning looked promising with two runners on base and only one out.  It was not to be as KG was held to just one run with Natalie McGregor recording an RBI on a ground out.  King George was leading 2 to 0.  The third inning looked like it would result in more runs with three singles but, again, KG scored only one run when Courtney Beck singled for an RBI.  KG 3, RC 0.
In the first two innings, Richmond County was held hitless.  They managed two hits in the third inning but again failed to score any runs.

King George held a three run lead as the fourth inning began and   Richmond was set to make things interesting.  KG put two runners on base in their half of the fourth but couldn’t push a run across the plate.  Richmond did better using a double and a single to post their first run.  KG 3, RC 1.  King George had two quick hits in the fifth inning but a double play and a ground out ended their chance to score.  Richmond saw another chance and had two runners reach base with a HBP and a single.  RC’s second run scored on a KG error.  The King George defense, and pitching, stiffened, and closed out the inning with no further damage.  After five innings it was KG 3, RC 2.
The sixth inning was short for King George as they went 3 up, 3 down.  Richmond was still solidly in the game.  Two of their players reached with only one out and the middle of their line-up coming to bat.  Again KG shut down Richmond with two ground outs and a strikeout to end the inning.  The score remained the same.
The seventh, and last inning, was anticlimactic as both teams were 3 up and 3 down.  Final score, King George 3 and Richmond County 2.  The King George Little League Senior Softball All-Stars are the District 15 Champions.
For the King George offense, Courtney Beck and Natalie McGregor each had an RBI.  KG players recording hits were Taylor Brandts (2), Taylor Balmaz (2) and Courtney Beck, Elizabeth King, Kari McCullough and Kelsey Payne each with one hit.
King George pitcher, Taylor Brandts, had another solid performance tossing ten strikeouts over the seven innings.  The defense was another important part of the win, making many fine plays and allowing only one error over the course of the game.
This was the final Senior LL Softball game for Elizabeth King and Nicki Pettit since the will be too old to play next year.  Their fellow players will miss them.  Good luck.
Over the course of the various All-Star competitions, the King George team saw some teams exhibiting great sportsmanship and other that did not.  The Richmond County All-Stars showed great sportsmanship and were very gracious in a losing effort.
Thank you KG Senior Softball All-Stars.  You brought much excitement to your fans and appropriate recognition to yourselves, your team, your KGLL and King George County.  We’ll see you next year!

Vic Fredette
The Journal