Waynesboro is ready for the S. Valley tournament after win

By Robert Sisk

Published: May 14, 2008

Now Waynesboro believes it has the confidence, momentum and ability to move forward in the Southern Valley District tournament that begins on Friday.
“The girls are getting focused with the district tournament coming up,” said Waynesboro coach Jason Aleshire.
Hosting the final regular season game of the year, the Little Giants put together seven strong innings to knock off Harrisonburg 11-4 in non-district action, while only committing one error. Unlike in past games the Little Giants played consistent ball from the start.
“The whole team has improved a lot since the start of the season,” said Waynesboro’s Erin Langley.
Waynesboro needs only one win in the district tournament to guarantee a spot in the Region III tournament and it will get its first chance on Friday in Stuarts Draft.
“Waynesboro hasn’t been in a while,” said Waynesboro pitcher Brittany Siron. “It would be so awesome if we did.”
The Little Giants are taking it one game at a time, but said they are ready for their rivals south of the Target Turnpike.
“I don’t know what they are bringing, but we are bringing our A game,” said Waynesboro’s Felicia Allen. “We are bringing our A plus game.”
Aleshire said that Wednesday’s game against Harrisonburg was one of the best that the Little Giants have played all year.
“We took advantage of what we could,” he said. “You have to take every opportunity you can.”
The Blue Streaks took an early lead in the top of the first when Julie Zimmerman hit a line drive single. She advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and a slow grounder to short. Zimmerman crossed the plate on a Siron wild pitch.
Trailing 1-0, Waynesboro was unable to generate a base runner on their side of the inning, but took the lead for good in the second. Heather Sutton led off the inning with a fly to shallow left field, which Zimmerman dropped. Sutton tried to stretch it out to second but arrived late to the bag, giving Waynesboro its first out.
Siron batted next for Waynesboro and walked. LaToya Diggs was Siron’s courtesy runner, stole second and reached third on a wild pitch. Brenda Price sent Diggs home on a sacrifice grounder to knot the game. Waynesboro wasn’t finished in the inning, scoring three more runs to take a 4-1 lead.
The Little Giants backed up their offensive performance with sound defense, giving up one run in the third, fifth and seventh innings.
Waynesboro scored in its next four at bats, with Kayla Bartley scoring in the third, Ashley Adkins crossing the plate in the fourth and Sutton scoring in the fifth.
In its final at bat, Waynesboro broke its offense wide open, batting through its lineup, while taking advanatage of some key Harrisonburg mistakes to earn four more runs.
Harrisonburg finished the game with six errors and nine hits. Waynesboro recorded 10 hits and one error.
Waynesboro will play Draft at 5 p.m. on Friday in the first round of the district tournament. Fort Defiance will host Robert E. Lee in the other semifinal match up. The winners of Friday’s games will advance to the championship game.