Jackson Parish fell to Sterlington 13-3 in the championship game of the Little League District 5 tournament played at the Jackson Parish Recreation Department Sports Complex this past weekend to come in second place and qualify for the state tournament that will be played in Broussard, LA, on July 11-15. 

The contest was the “rubber game” between Sterlington and Jackson Parish after the visiting team from Ouachita Parish won the first game 8-0 in the opening game for both teams on Frida,y only to see JP12U come back for a 14-8 victory on Saturday, setting up the “winner take all” final contest. 

It looked like Jackson Parish, who was designated as the visiting team despite the game being played at the Jackson Parish Recreation Department Sports Complex, was well on it’s way to join JP8U and JP10U as district champions by opening the contest with two runs in the top of the first inning. 

Kate Keiffer, who batted an incredible .778 for the tournament that included a team leading five extra base hits, seven RBI, and sharing the team lead with Hannah Aldy in  runs scored got the inning started with a single. Lizzie Sullivan followed with a triple and scored on Amelia Stagg’s single to give Jackson Parish  2-0 lead. 

Then the roof caved in as Sterlington responded with four hits, including a double and a home run, coaxed two walks and took advantage of five Jackson Parish miscues to explode for 9 runs in their half of the inning. Ryleigh McCormick singled and scored in the third inning but Sterlington scored twice in the bottom of the third and fourth innings to end the game early via the “ten run” rule. 

JP12U District Tournament Leaders

Batting Average – Kate Keiffer (.778), Emma Gray (.286), Elliot Savage (.286)
On Base Percentage – Kate Keiffer (.800), Ryleigh McCormick (.571) Brylee Ingles (.571)
Hits – Kate Keiffer (7), Emma Gray (2), Elliot Savage (2), Amelia Staggs (2), Lizzie Sullivan (2), Jessie Walker (2), Hannah Aldy (2)
Doubles – Kate Keiffer (2) Amelia Staggs (1), Charleigh Newton (1)
Triples – Kate Keiffer (2), Lizzie Sullivan (2), Jessie Walker (1)
Home Runs –  Kate Keiffer (1), Elliot Savage (1)
RBI – Kate Keiffer (7), Elliot Savage (3), Emma Gray (2), Amelia Staggs (2), Lizzie Sullivan (2), Hannah Aldy (2), Ryleigh McCormick (1) Charlee Mauthe (1)
Runs Scored – Kate Keiffer (5), Hannah Aldy (5) Elliot Savage (4), Emma Gray (3), Lizzie Sullivan (3), Jessie Walker (2), Ryleigh McCormick (2) Amelia Staggs (1) Charleigh Newton (1), Brooklyn Keiffer (1) Brylee Ingles (1)
Walks – Brylee Ingles (4), Ryleigh McCormick (3), Brooklyn Keiffer (2), Lizzie Sullivan (2), Amelia Staggs (2), Kate Keiffer (1), Emma Gray (1), Charleigh Newton (1), Charlee Mauthe (1)