Americans, Nationals battle in district tourney

Both the Amherst Nationals and the Amherst Americans made it to the championship for the District 2 Dixie Youth Darlings softball tournament that was held in Rustburg last weekend, but it was the Americans that claimed the spot in the state tournament with a 25-15 victory.

The Americans rolled through the first two games of the double-elimination tournament on their way to the championship without suffering a loss. The Nationals battled their way through the losers bracket after an early loss to the Americans, but staved off elimination and advanced to the championship.

The Americans got off to a quick start when the lead-off hitter, Chanceton Follett, singled but made a mad dash around the bases aided by Nationals’ errors to put the Americans up 1-0 before the first out was recorded in the game.

The Americans went on to score eight runs in the top of the first with the big blow coming off the bat of Alexis McGlinchey. McGlinchey blasted a ball over the left fielder’s head for a three-run home run.

“Winning all the games was the best part (of the district tournament) and winning the other games (is what I’m looking forward to at the state tournament),” McClinchey said. “I just like hitting the ball and scoring.”

The Nationals rallied for 7 runs in the bottom of the first to make the score 8-7 Americans, but defense dominated the second inning as neither team scored.

Nationals’ second baseman Holland Saunders turned in the best defensive play. Saunders snared a looping liner and threw to first to double off an Americans’ runner on first base.

The Americans started to take control of the game in the third inning by outscoring the Nationals 7-1, making the score 15-8.

The Americans continued to tack on runs, scoring seven more in the top of the fourth and making the score 22-8, Americans. The top of the fourth inning could have been much worse for the Nationals if it hadn’t been for Saunders turning an unassisted double play. Saunders caught a pop-up and stepped on second base to double off a runner.

The Nationals scored seven runs in the bottom of the fourth to stay within striking distance, but the Americans scored three runs in the top of the fifth and held the Nationals scoreless in the bottom of the fifth to claim the 25-15 victory.

“I’m so excited that it was Amherst County in the finals and in six years these (players) are going to be playing together and I can’t wait to see that,” Americans manager Tim Hoden said. “I love all 12 of my girls and it’s been a really exciting couple of weeks.”

The Americans will represent District 2 in the state tournament that begins July 15 in Kenbridge at the Lunenburg Complex.

“I’m so happy to win districts and get to go to states,” the Americans’ Abby Hoden said. “I like that we get to lots of places and I want to win states so we can go to (the World Series).”

“It’s been a good experience, I’ve gotten to meet a lot of people along the way,” the Americans’ Savannah Wood said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge and winning (the state tournament.)”

“It was fun (playing the other Amherst team),” the Americans’ Abigail Downey said. “I’m looking forward to meeting some new friends (at the state tournament.)”

The Nationals received the sportsmanship award after the game.

“I would have rather won, but I’m glad Amherst won,” Nationals coach Ralph Harrison Jr. said. “The girls played great tonight. I just think the better team won. I was glad two Amherst teams showed up (in the championship) and hopefully we’ll do it again next year.”