District III holds off East in opener

The first game of the 2010 Senior League Softball World Series featured the home team, outstanding pitching and a tense contest, with District III (Laurel) topping the East squad (Haverstraw, N.Y.), 1-0 on Sunday, Aug. 8.

Kristen Collins led off the bottom of the second inning for District III with a clean single off East pitcher Vittoria Adams through the left side of the infield. Bree Venables hit a grounder that was misplayed by the East defense to put runners on first and second with nobody out.

Nicole Ullman followed with a nice sacrifice bunt to advance the runners to second and third, and Alison Pusey knocked in Collins with a single, and put runners on the corners. A double-steal attempt by the home team resulted in a double play by the East squad, ending the rally before District III could expand its lead.

That was all the scoring District III pitcher Logan Green needed that day. She gave up just three hits over five innings — all singles — and struck out five. The East team hoped to mount a rally in the top of the seventh, when Destiney Jones slapped a single to center with two outs, but Green was able to get Samantha Wagenstein to line out to end the game.

Adams also pitched a tremendous game in a losing effort. She only allowed four hits through six innings of work and struck out six in a losing effort. No batter from either team had more than one hit.