The defending state champions hit the softball with authority to earn a second consecutive title.
The Burke County Blaze 8U softball team won five consecutive games to capture the 2011 Tar Heel Leagues Coach-Pitch 8U Girls State Softball Tournament crown with a hard-earned 6-3 victory Sunday against Wilkes County.
The 8U state tourney title contest was played on Field No. 5 at Catawba Meadows Park in Morganton.
The Blaze jumped in front early with a single run in the first inning. Shortstop Ashlyn Stillwell and first baseman Josie Hise singled before third baseman Riley Haas hit an RBI single to score Stillwell.
The Burke County Blaze added three runs in the fourth inning. Stillwell led off with a single and Hise followed with an RBI single to score Stillwell.
Then, with two outs, the Blaze strung together a series of four consecutive hits. Second baseman Regan Weisner started the rally with a single. Left-handed batter Chloe Gary hit an RBI single to plate Weisner. Gary then scored on a single by outfielder Kaitlyn Underwood. Nikki Smith also collected her second single of the day.
With the Burke County Blaze leading 4-0, Wilkes County responded with three runs on four hits in the bottom half of the fourth inning.
The Blaze added two insurance runs in the sixth. Kincaid and Stillwell singled. Following a strikeout, Haas ripped a two-RBI double to score both Kincaid and Stillwell.
The Burke County Blaze batted .517 (15-for-29) in the championship game.
The 8U Blaze’s offensive attack was led by Stillwell (three hits, three runs), Kincaid (two singles, run), Hise (two singles, RBI), Haas (double, single, three RBIs), Weisner (single, run), Gary (single, run, RBI), Underwood (single, RBI), Smith (two singles) and Josie Shelton (single).
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