Published Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Sharpsburg lineup facing elimination at World Series

The Times-Herald

PANAMA CITY, Fla. -- No one was more stunned than the Sharpsburg X-Plosion when another Xplosion outfit, this one from Tennessee, showed up at Callaway Field on Wednesday afternoon to face them.

The Sharpsburg X-Plosion were expecting to face the Texas Gold as double elimination action kicked off in the 2008 United States Fast Pitch World Series. But a bracket error was corrected, sending the two teams with the same nickname against each other.

The new schedule didn't do the Sharpsburg lineup any favor as they fell 3-0 to the defending World Series champions.

Devon Schmidt went the distance on the mound for the Nashville squad. She held Sharpsburg to only one hit while striking out nine.

The X-Plosion were impressed by Schmidt. "She threw with high velocity and had very fine control. We were shocked to face them and we hope we don't see them again," said Sharpsburg coach Bert Keown.

Ashley Katin's single in the home half of the second was the only dent against Schmidt. Katin never moved past first.

The X-Plosion got a good effort out of starting pitcher Erin Searcy. The former Northgate Lady Viking held the Nashville kids off the board until play went to the top of the fifth.

Katy Ayers hit a solo shot with one out to break the scoreless tie, giving the Tennessee team all they would need. A two-out triple by Cassie Bollin scored the second run and Bollin was later chased home to round out the scoring.

Searcy worked the first five frames. Paige Martin pitched a scoreless sixth, striking out two of the final three hitters.

X-Plosion manager Woody Brown bragged about the Sharpsburg defense. "I thought this was our best effort with the gloves in the tournament. Hopefully we can keep the defensive effort up."

The X-Plosion, who are now facing elimination, return to action tonight at approximately 7:50 p.m.

WEDNESDAY'S LINESCORE

Tennessee Xplosion 000 030 -- 3 8 0

Sharpsburg X-Plosion 000 000 -- 0 1 0