Published: July 01, 2009 01:08 am      

LITTLE LEAGUE: New Albany gets it going

CLARKSVILLE — After watching a title that it had owned for most of the decade slip away last season, New Albany began its quest at reclaiming the 11-12-year-old baseball title at the Indiana District V Tournament on Tuesday.

Powered by the right arm of hurler Josh Brooks, New Albany opened play with a 9-2 win over host Clarksville at the Clarksville Little League Complex.

Brooks went the distance, tossing six innings and striking out 11 while surrendering just three hits for New Albany, which busted open a close game with five runs in the fifth inning.

“I’m proud of them,” said New Albany coach Paul Moses. “I’m very proud of the way we played the first time out in the tourney.”

New Albany, which totaled nine hits, was led on offense by Jack Shine — who went 3-for-3 and walked in the game.

“We played as a team, we really hit up and down our lineup and Brooks pitched a heck of a game,” said Moses. “I couldn’t ask for a much better effort. These guys have had some ups and downs at All-Stars over the years. But we’ve got everybody on the same page this season, and we look forward to seeing what we can do.”

For Clarksville, the offense was led by Morgan Tackett, who connected on a solo home run leading off the fourth inning.



11-12 SOFTBALL

Jeff/GRC scored perhaps the most exciting victory in the young tournament, rallying for two runs in the bottom of the sixth to post a 2-1 win over Silver Creek in the opener for both teams.

Victoria Flaten had a game-tying RBI double with one out in the final rally and then came around to score the winning run on a wild pitch and throwing error.

“What a comeback,” said Jeff/GRC coach Donnie Jackson. “We were down, but never put our heads down. It was tough to get anything going there until our final at-bat. But when we needed it, we stepped it up and got it done.”

McKenzie Bush tossed six innings and earned the win for Jeff/GRC, which will play Highlander Youth Recreation on Monday.



13-14 BASEBALL

Silver Creek pitcher Christian Ensley scattered five hits over seven innings and allowed just one run as his squad won its opener, 8-1.

Aaron Lawson drove in the game’s lone run for Clarksville.

The two sides return to the field next Wednesday. Silver Creek will meet Charlestown, while Clarksville will take on HYR.



Stars of the Night

11-12 baseball

Josh Brooks, New Albany: complete game, 11 strikeouts.

Jack Shine, New Albany: 3-for-3

Morgan Tackett, Clarksville: solo home run



11-12 softball

Victoria Flaten, Jeff/GRC: game-tying double in sixth, scored game-winning run



13-14 baseball

Christian Ensley, Silver Creek: complete game, five hits, one earned run.



Scoreboard

11-12 baseball

New Albany 9, Clarksville 2



11-12 softball

Jeff/GRC 2, Silver Creek 1



13-14 baseball

Silver Creek 8, Clarksville 1