Amelia Staggs gave up just one hit and struck out 10 batters in a six-inning complete game effort to help lift Jackson Parish to a 3-0  victory over Vidalia in the first round of the Little League 12U Softball state tournament.

Facing the district 3 champions, Staggs was virtually untouchable as she opened the game by striking out the side and allowed just a meaningless ground ball single in the top of the third inning of what turned out to be a tremendous pitching duel that saw both teams manage just a combined 3 hits. 

Elliot Savage gave Jackson Parish a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third when she coaxed a base on balls, stole second, went to third on an error by the Vidalia catcher and scored on a passed ball with two outs in the inning. 

Jackson Parish got a little breathing room in the bottom of the fifth when Jessie Walker’s smashed an RBI triple to right that scored Brooklin Keiffer, who had reached on a fielders choice. Emma Gray followed with the only other hit of the day by JP12U to up the lead to 3-0. 

Hannah Aldy, Kate Keiffer, Lizzie Sullivan, Charleigh Newton and Brylee Ingles also all reached base in the contest, taking advantage of the 7 free passes given up by Vidalia pitching.

With the victory, JP12U, who qualified for the 8-team state tourney being played in Broussard, LA, as the District 5 runner-up, advanced to play District 6 champion, Lake Charles, late Saturday evening in the second round.