U12s

Anthony Gainey | Daily Herald Hunter Martin slides into the base during the Roanoke Valley U10’s loss, 14-11, to the Down East All-Star squad during the opening round of the state tournament. Advertisement

WILLIAMSTON — The Roanoke Valley U12 All-Stars picked up right where they left off during the district tournament, by opening the state tournament with a, 10-0, victory over Swansboro. The Roanoke Valley squad started out big, picking up two runs apiece in the first and second innings and really caught fire in the third, exploding for five runs in the inning. Roanoke Valley added one more score in the fourth to seal the deal. “We were hitting the ball well,” Head coach Sam Conner said. “The defense was solid, the pitching is there. Everybody contributed as a team. I just want to thank the coaching staff for working with the girls.” Sierra Hearp went the distance on the mound for the Roanoke Valley squad. The U12s second contest will be against New Bern today.

U16s

WILLIAMSTON — Errors would prove to be the difference in the U16 contest between the Roanoke Valley All-Stars and the Henderson-Vance squad in the opening round of the state tournament. The Roanoke Valley squad finished with four errors, compared to two from Henderson-Vance in their, 3-2, loss yesterday afternoon. All of the Henderson-Vance runs were unearned. “We gave the game away,” Roanoke Valley Head coach Billy Smith said. “I still think we have the best team down here, we just didn’t show up.” Roanoke Valley gave up two runs in the bottom of the sixth to the Henderson-Vance squad. Kallie Smith put the Roanoke Valley squad on the board first with a triple in the first inning. Kristie Shaw then added a two RBI double, but that wouldn’t be enough for the local team. “Our pitching was good enough to win,” Smith said. “We had the bases loaded a few times and didn’t score. I have to coach better and they have to play better.” The Roanoke Valley squad will play again tonight at 8 p.m. versus one of three possible opponents.

U10s

WILLIAMSTON — The Roanoke Valley U10 All-Stars dug a nice hole for themselves yesterday in the opening round of the state tournament and could not recover fast enough, falling to the Down East All-Stars, 14-11. The Roanoke Valley U10s fell behind, 8-0, only to rally back to tie the game at eight in the third inning. The Roanoke Valley team struggled in the fourth and went down, 14-8, to the Down East team. The Roanoke Valley team scored three more runs, but ultimately couldn’t retake the lead and defeat Down East. “We made a few mental errors,” Head coach Bobby Martin said. “Mistakes hurt us today ... we made some base running mistakes and it caught us today a little bit.” Hunter Martin went 3-3 at the plate with a double, a triple and one home run. Emma McKeel, Brooke Robinson and Lauren Oliver hit RBIs for the Roanoke Valley team. Martin, Robinson and Camden Bierbauer all pitched for the Roanoke Valley team, who take the field today at 1 p.m..

Notes: The Roanoke Valley U14 All-Stars got through the first round and will play their first game today at 11 a.m.