Published: May 15, 2008 11:15 pm         

Regionals washed out; Tigers lead Warriors 4-0

Whether it was from a downpour, like at Fayetteville, or the slow, steady rains at Coal City and Summersville, Thursday’s girls softball regionals were a wash.

The Class A Region 3 tournament at Fayetteville never got out of the first inning — or past the third batter, for that matter — before the field became unplayable.

Pirates pitcher Shandi Myles got off to a great start, striking out the first two Charleston Catholic batters she faced. She held a 1-2 advantage on the third batter when the skies opened up.

The game is scheduled to resume at 5:30 p.m. today at Fayetteville.

“The girls are wanting to play and the parents say they’ll be there to help get the field ready,” coach Nancy Adkins said.

What started as a sprinkle became a moderate rain, halting the Class AA Region 3 battle in the top of the fifth inning with Shady Spring leading Wyoming East 4-0.

Tigers freshman Amber Woody had checked the Warriors on just one hit, a fourth-inning double by Chelsea Thompson. She walked three batters while striking out three.

East put a runner at second base three times, thanks to walks, an error and Thompson’s double. But Woody worked her way out of trouble each time.

“Amber’s just a freshman, but she’s getting to be a real strong pitcher,” Shady coach Angela Bostic said. “She knows our defense has her back, so she’s not afraid to throw her pitches.”

The Tigers jumped on Warriors sophomore Chelsea Whitten for two runs in the first inning. Tia Via singled and Lindsey Stalnaker doubled. Lydia Honaker then bunted back to Whitten, who threw her out at first base.

Via raced home on the play and an errant throw from first allowed Stalnaker to score as well.

Two more runs came home in the fifth when Via drew a one-out walk and Stalnaker beat out a bunt to third.

Honaker hit a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Via, and Stalnaker followed her in when the throw from the outfield bounced over the catcher’s head.

With a puddle developing behind home plate, the game was halted with an 0-1 count on the next batter, Brandi Phillips.

“They’re determined and ready to play,” Bostic said of her 15-16 squad. I hope they can keep the momentum going until we play again.”

The game will be resumed today at either 5 p.m. at Larry T. Poe Field (Independence) or at 3 p.m. at the Shady Spring Little League complex. A decision will be made by 11:30 a.m. today.

Wyoming East coach Doc Warner was unavailable for comment.

Nicholas County’s Class AAA Region 3 game with South Charleston made it into the third inning. The visiting Black Eagles held a 3-1 lead behind ace pitcher Chelsea Cobb.

“It’s one of those games,” Nicholas coach Marie Shaffer said. “There were a couple of walks, some passed balls and an overthrow. It looked like we were nervous and tense.”

Nicholas is a young team, starting four sophomores and one freshman.

“I don’t know why we were like that. We’ve played a lot of games this year,” Shaffer said.

With more rain expected today, the game will not be resumed until 1 p.m. Saturday.