Staff report
MONROE, La. — The Rockingham Angels all-star team broke open a close game with a 10-run third inning to pull away from an 11-1 victory over the Texas state champions in the first game of the Dixie Softball World Series Saturday afternoon in Monroe, Louisiana.
Texas scored the game’s first run in the top of the third before Rockingham rallied in the home-half of the frame. Allyiah Swiney had the big hit for Rockingham, the North Carolina state champions, in the inning — a grand slam.
Richmond tacked on an addition run in the fourth inning to mercy rule Texas.
“It is always goo to get the nerves out of the way,” Rockingham coach Michael Way said. “We had to bring them back to reality.”
Savannah Jordan, Meredith Standridge and Katie Way also had hits in the victory. Natalia Rodrigues, Kenleigh Frye and Jordan all pitched for Rockingham. Rodrigues started the game and went two innings. Both Frye and Jordan pitched one inning.
Rockingham will return to action 5 p.m. CDT against South Carolina. South Carolina defeated Tennessee.