Undefeated PEFYA Debs play for state title tonight

Published 3:51 pm Friday, July 22, 2016

FARRAH SCHMIDT The PEFYA Debs softball team is 4-0 in the Dixie Youth Debs State Tournament and will play for the title tonight at 6 p.m. in Kenbridge. Team members include, from left, front row, Gracie Hodges, Maddie Moreland, Alexa Marzloff, Jordyn Harris, Alexis Gayles; back row, Coach Michael Roach, Hannah-Gray Schmidt, Abby Roach, Caroline Seal, Mary Grace Amos, Melissa Wright, Coach John Hodges, Jaden Capati and Coach David Schmidt. Not pictured is Shaunice Beasley.

The Prince Edward-Farmville Youth Association (PEFYA) Debs softball team defeated Amelia 6-5 on Thursday evening and plays for the Dixie Softball Debs State Tournament Championship tonight in Kenbridge against Blackstone.

PEFYA is the only remaining undefeated team in the double-elimination tourney, and the girls’ record improved to 4-0 with the victory on Thursday, which eliminated Amelia.

The championship round is set to start at 6 p.m. tonight at 129 North Maple St. in Kenbridge. If Blackstone wins, it would need to beat PEFYA again to claim the title, with the second game likely to begin around 8 p.m.

Blackstone faced PEFYA on Wednesday evening and fell 10-4, struggling defensively. Meanwhile, PEFYA enjoyed pitching from Hannah-Gray Schmidt and solid offensive production throughout the lineup, despite playing without team leader Melissa Wright, who was sick.

Earlier in the tournament, PEFYA came back to defeat Lunenburg 7-6 and pulled away for a 17-5 victory over Amherst.

By winning the state title, PEFYA would advance to the Dixie Softball Debs World Series, set to start on July 30 in Alexandria, La.

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