DILLON’S DIXIE BELLES – Kneeling (left to right): Alexia Pinkney, Tyieshah Jones, Auh’Kieria Smiling, Brianna Froneberger, and Shar’Asia Samuel. Standing (left to right): Shaquailla German, Harmony Oxendine, M’Kayla Drake, DaKerhia Samuel, Erin Bailey, and Tiffany Dwyer. Coaches (left to right): Duck German, Elbert Froneberger, and Charlie Bailey. Not Pictured: Margaret Desser. (Photo by Johnnie Daniels/THE DILLON HERALD. Click image to view at full size!)
This will be the second World Series appearance in a row for Dillon’s Belles.
The series tournament pits the state championship teams from across the Southeast, including Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana, Virginia, North Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, as well as the host team, Powhatan National.
In 2011, Dillon’s Dixie Belles opened the series with a loss to Georgia, but defeated Tennessee and Texas to stay alive in the series. But Dillon was eliminated from the series with a 6-1 loss to Burgaw, North Carolina. Host team South Hill, Virginia, went on to claim the World Series title.
But this season, Dillon made short work of their district opponents and went undefeated in the state tournament, which could bode well for their chances in the series.
The Belles team also includes several members of Dillon High School’s Lady Wildcats softball team, which finished second in the state in the 2012 season. They fell by just one run in each of the championship series games against Palmetto.
The Dixie Belles World Series begins with opening ceremonies on Friday, August 3. The action starts on Saturday morning, with Dillon taking on Opp, Alabama, at 10:45 a.m.
Saturday’s other opening matchups include West Pasco, Florida, against Seminole County, Georgia at 10:00 a.m.; Burgaw, North Carolina, against Red River, Texas; South Hill, Virginia, against JPRD Westbank, Louisiana; and Lexington, Tennessee, against West Jasper, Mississippi. The winner of the Florida/Georgia game will face host Powhatan National, Virginia, in Sunday’s opening game.
If Dillon is successful against Alabama, they will face the winner of the North Carolina/Texas game. If they lose, they will face the loser of the Florida/Georgia game in the elimination bracket.
The World Series is scheduled to continue through Wednesday, August 8. Look for updates on the series online at thedillonherald.com!
