HARTSVILLE, S.C. — Rockingham Ponytails all-star coach Matthew Liles sprinted out to the middle of the field after his team recorded the final out and hugged every player he could.

It was like Liles was doing his best imitation of former N.C. State coach Jimmy Valvano and even talked about Italian food after the game.

“My preacher on Sunday talked about building a bridge with spaghetti,” Liles said. “It takes more than one string. Well, I have a bunch of boxes of spaghetti over there.”

Rockingham pounded out 11 hits and nine individual players scored in a 14-1 victory over South Carolina in four innings to capture the Dixie Softball World Series championship Wednesday night.

Ragan Liles, who picked up the pitching victory, got things started in a six-run first inning by drawing a one-out walk. She moved to third on a single by Madison Jordan and scored when Jordan was caught in a rundown. Paige Ransom also walked and Jakerra Covington cleared the bases with a two-run triple.

Covington scored on Payton Chappell’s single. Carley Lambeth walked and Mattie Liles followed with a single to score Chappell. Once again, Rockingham added another run when Liles was caught in a rundown as Lambeth crossed the plate.

South Carolina scored its first run against Rockingham on a bunt single and a throwing error. Rockingham had blanked South Carolina 10-0 in four innings earlier in the tournament.

Rockingham tacked on three more runs in the second on Ransom’s bases-loaded triple. Georgia Grace Anderson and Liles both drove in a run in the top of the third. Ransom knocked in her fourth and fifth runs of the game in the fourth with a single. Covington also added a run-scoring single in the frame.

After surrendering an unearned run in the first and allowing a runner to reach third in the second, Ragan Liles settled down in the pitching circle and retired the last eight batters. She finished the game with three strikeouts.

After seeing his team come out flat the day before against Hartsville (S.C), Liles was happy to see there was a bit of a spark in his players’ eyes.

“I didn’t think it was going to be a problem tonight,” Liles said. “The key word was focus. For the last 10 days in the heat, we have counted it down. Eight, seven, six, five. I told them this was Day 10, this is what we have worked for. There is not a thing I can say about one of them that I can’t say about all of them.”

Rockingham stops Hartsville

HARTSVILLE, S.C. — Rockingham Ponytails all-star coach Matthew Liles admitted his team came out flat Tuesday night.

Rockingham cruised past Hartsville (S.C.) 9-1. It was the second win over Rockingham over Hartsville in the tournament.

“There was no sense of urgency,” Liles said after Tuesday’s win. “We will talk about it tonight.”

When Hartsville pushed across a run in the top of the fourth on a fielder’s choice, it was the first run Rockingham had allowed in the World Series. It was also just the seventh run Rockingham pitchers have surrendered in district, state or World Series play.

Paige Ransom led the way for Rockingham’s offense with two doubles and three runs batted in. Jakerra Covington recorded a two-run triple. Jadyn Johnson, Madison Jordan and Covington all scored two runs.

Ransom started the game in the pitching circle and didn’t allow a hit in two innings. Johnson hurled two innings, surrendering two hits and Hartsville’s lone run. Payton Chappell pitched the final two innings and issued a walk. It was the first time in the World Series that Rockingham was forced to play all six innings.

The loss eliminated Hartsville from the World Series.

Reach managing editor Shawn Stinson at 910-817-2671 and follow him on Twitter @scgolfer.

Shawn Stinson|Daily Journal Rockingham Ponytails all-star coach Matthew Liles and his players celebrate after defeating South Carolina for the Dixie Softball World Series championship.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_DSC_0774.jpgShawn Stinson|Daily Journal Rockingham Ponytails all-star coach Matthew Liles and his players celebrate after defeating South Carolina for the Dixie Softball World Series championship.

Shawn Stinson|Daily Journal Rockingham’s Madison Jordan scores on a triple by Paige Ransom as South Carolina’s Savannah Chambers waits on the throw home.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_DSC_0753.jpgShawn Stinson|Daily Journal Rockingham’s Madison Jordan scores on a triple by Paige Ransom as South Carolina’s Savannah Chambers waits on the throw home.
Rockingham takes out South Carolina for title

By Shawn Stinson

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