Croixettes claim Lady Braves Invitational crown

By Dean Greenaway

Before the weekend Lady Braves Invitational Softball tournament, manager
Ephraim Penn said that the St. Croix Croixettes would be favored, after
they won a tournament they hosted in September. They didn't disappoint.

"We knew that the Croixettes were the team to beat and it turned out to be
that way," Penn noted after the Croixettes went unbeaten in the tournament
he described as very competitive. "We geared up and played them tough.
Their pitching was pretty consistent. Their defense was very good and they
had a good offense, so they are a well-rounded team. You can't afford to
make many mistakes against a team that good."

Gertrude Thomas' three run home in the fist inning that gave host Lady
Braves a 4-0 first inning lead, the only time the Croixettes would trail
throughout the tournament. After erasing the 4-0 deficit, they went on to
beat the Lady Braves 9-6 on Friday night.

Tied at 6-6 in the fourth, starter Marie Encarnacion was relieved by
Sherry Simmonds who pitched three scoreless innings, as the Croixettes
picked up a run  in each inning she pitched for the victory. Lady Braves
pitchers contributed to the victory by giving up 13 free passes to the
Croixettes batters, including 11 walks. The Croixettes also stranded 14
batters. Pearline Scatliffe was the losing pitcher. She had relief help
from Felicia 'Big Train' Wattley.

Croixettes Rose Williams went 3-for-4 and scored once. Lisa Francis had a
2 for 2 game, scored three times and had one run batted in. Jennifer Brady
was 2 for 4, scored once and had one run batted in. Gertrude Thomas was
the Lady Braves top hitter going 2 for 4, including a three run homer. She
scored twice and had 4 rbi's.

Brady who fanned six, combined with Shelia Gumbs to fire a one hitter in
the Croixettes 9-1 victory over Pelle Maarten. Nayoka Allen, who had the
only hit in the seventh, took the loss. Sherry Simmonds was the Croixettes
leading hitter with a 3 for 4 game and three runs batted in. Lisa Thomas
was 2 for 4 with 3 rbi's.

Following a 12-4 loss to St. Maarten, the Lady Braves were defeated by the
Croixettes 8-7, as Marie Encarnacion got her second victory. Lisa Thomas
was 3  for 3, scored once and had one run batted in. Shelia Gumbs went 2
for 4 and scored twice. Kathleen Fahie suffered the defeat for the Lady
Braves. She went 2 for 3, scored twice and had one run batted in. Kishma
Payne was 2 for 3 with one run scored and one rbi.

"We need some more practice," said Lady Braves Juerene George. "We learnta lot just from watching the St. Croix team. They are very together. Andthat togetherness is what bonds them and makes them the good team that they are."

After the sweep, Croixettes coach Eugene Thomas said he has seen
improvement in the Lady Braves since they met in September. "The pitchingwas plenty better but the defense wasn't as good as it should be."