BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
PRESTONSBURG — The 606 Firecrackers endured a long, hot day on the diamond to capture the “6-7” Future Stars tournament championship June 7 at Stonecrest.
Taking the field before 9 a.m. and playing until nearly 7 p.m., the Firecrackers battled through four games in temperatures approaching 100 degrees on the turf field before defeating Sweet Heat 19-7 in the championship game.
The travel softball team, coached by Jayla Dials, Aaron Moore, Jim Bob Nolen and Bailey Dials, finished the day with a 3-1 record and a tournament title.
The Firecrackers opened pool play with a 12-7 win over EKY Heat. Jaycee Hagans struck out six batters in the circle. Brylee Davidson and Brystol Dillon scored three runs, Emily Mooney scored twice, and Maddy Ash, Sarah McCoy, Kaylee Nolen and Arielle Jude each added one run.
The team fell to Appalachian Heat 6-2 in the second pool-play game. Hagans recorded three strikeouts and Emily Mooney added one. Emily Mooney and Davidson scored one run apiece.
In bracket play, the Firecrackers earned a thrilling 9-8 win over EKY Heat to advance to the championship game.
The Firecrackers held a 5-4 lead heading into the top of the final inning before EKY Heat scored four runs to move ahead 8-5. McCoy came in to pitch in relief and got the final two outs to give her team a chance in the final frame.
Jude delivered a clutch hit to right field, advanced a runner to third and stole second. With one out and the bases loaded, Dillon sent a hard-hit ball to the outfield that was caught. McCoy then stepped to the plate and battled before a pitch got away from the catcher. Davidson raced home from third and slid in for the game-winning run.
Hagans struck out four batters and McCoy struck out two in the win. Davidson scored three times, Emily Mooney scored twice, and Dillon, Hagans, Nolen and Jude each scored one run.
The Firecrackers finished the day with a 19-7 championship win over Sweet Heat. McCoy struck out three batters and Hagans added six strikeouts.
Emily Mooney scored three runs, Davidson scored four, Hagans, McCoy, Nolen, Paisley Mooney and Jude each scored two, and Dillon and Ash each added one.
Davidson capped off the championship game by stealing home to end the contest by mercy rule in the fourth inning.