Major League All-Stars beat South Franklin 6-5

Sunday, July 11, 2010 - David W. Ryan

In a hard fought – down to the last batter – game versus South Franklin it is Jeffrey Fuqua steal of home on a passed ball that provided the margin of victory as Catahoula edged South Franklin 6-5 in the Major League Sub District tournament in Vidalia.

South Franklin managed to get a runner on third with two outs in the bottom of the sixth but Quan O’steen struck out the last batter to preserve the win.

“We jumped out to a four run lead in the top of the first but lost the lead in the bottom of the fifth, and came back in the top of the sixth to score two runs that put us ahead for good,” Head Coach Tim Jackson explained. “The night before we had some issues with a few kids attitudes and lack of effort. We addressed that Monday night and again Tuesday night, and the kids did a great job of responding against South Franklin with a spirited effort which was the difference in the game.”

Coach Jackson said he was proud of the effort pointing out, “After leading the whole game they could have quit on each other and folded after giving up the lead in the bottom of the fifth, but they kept fighting and never quit.

Coach Jackson said for the last month the team’s motto – ATTITUDE – was number one and "Quitters never win, and Winners never quit.”

“Both of those finally sunk in and made the difference, in what I believe was the first win for the Major League All Stars in sub district in a few years. The kids and fans were real excited to get a win.

“I would like to thank the other two coaches Ray Fannin and Tarvaruchie Weary for their help throughout the season, as well as Chris Fannin and my wife Lori for the commitment they had for these kids over the last 3-4 months.

A special thanks to league President Eric Smith, Pat Book, Chad Spinks, and Mike Tubre for their countless hours of work they did at the Major/Minor league field this year. This league wouldn't have been possible without their hard work and dedication. And also to our great fans who came out and supported us.”

Coach Jackson noted 10 of this year’s 12 all-stars will be moving up, however he notes there are a good group of kids already in the league and coming into the league that will represent Catahoula Parish well next year.

“We encourage all the kids involved this year to continue to practice/play throughout the next nine months to help improve their skills; this is the only way to be competitive this day and time is to practice, practice, practice.

• Stats from the Game

1st inning: Cooter Woods led with strike out Jeffrey Fuqua and Jr. Harbor got hit by pitcher putting two runners on.  Chris Holmes and Quan O'steen followed with singles with Chris' single bringing in 1st two runs.  Ethan Fuqua struck out and while next batter Cole Cooper was at bat when Chris and Quan stole home on passed balls.  Cole was put out at first by the throw from pitcher.

2nd and 3rd:  Dawson Woodruff, Aaron Calcote, Jacob Fannin struck out.  Austin Reeves thrown out at first then Riley Williams and Cooter Woods struck out ending third inning.

4th and 5th:  Jeffrey Fuqua struck out, Jr. Harbor walked, and Chris Holmes and Quan O'steen struck out.  Ethan Fuqua and Cole Cooper struck out Dawson Woodruff was hit by pitcher and Aaron Calcote struck out.

6th:   Cooter Woods and Jeffrey Fuqua started inning with singles. Jr. Harbor struck out then followed by Chris Holmes single that brought in Cooter.  Quan O’steen struck out but Jeffrey was able to come home on passed ball for our sixth and final run.

Cooter woods pitched 1st three innings.  Quan closed the third inning and the last three innings. 1st inning:  walk, throw out at first, fly out to center w/rbi, double, single, single w/ run coming home and final out on force run at second. 
2nd:   ko, walk, ko, throw out at 1st.
3rd:  single, ko, dbl, throw out at 1st.  1st batter was able to to third on error and home during the dbl.
4th:  ko, ko, sgl, ko
5th:  walk, ko, walk, sgl w/ rbi, ko, ko
6th:  throw out at 1st, hit batter, ko, walk, ko          

Special Thanks to Chris Fannin

Catahoula All-Star Cooter Woods stands on third ready to score on a hit or steal if there is a passed ball. The Major League All-Stars won their last game of the Sub-District Tournament in Vidalia with a hard fought win over South Franklin 6-5.

 

Photo Courtesy of Lori Jackson