[08/04/02]A lack of timely hitting sent the Vicksburg Diamond Dolls to the loser’s bracket of the ASA 14-and-under national tournament on Friday.

A strong pitching performance on Saturday sent them home.

The Diamond Dolls managed only two hits against the Kenworth Blast of Roswell, Ga., on Saturday, and were eliminated from the tournament with a 2-0 loss.

The Diamond Dolls finished seventh in the 64-team tournament, which included teams from all over the U.S.

Mary Myers Franco and Lauren Anderson each had a single for the Diamond Dolls in the loss.

Brittany Fuller allowed two first-inning runs on a walk, two hits, a sacrifice fly and an RBI groundout, and suffered the loss. Anderson came on in relief. Kenworth managed two hits, but the damage was done in the first.

The Dolls’ best chance came in the third, when Sarah Kerut reached base and eventually advanced to third. She was stranded there, however, and Vicksburg didn’t come close to scoring again.

The Dolls, who rolled through pool play, were forced into the loser’s bracket Friday afternoon with a loss to the S.C.R.A. Flash of Canton, Ga., 2-1.

Anderson allowed four hits and struck out three to take the loss.

Trailing 2-1, Vicksburg loaded the bases in the sixth inning with one out, but could not score. Anna Miller had the lone RBI for the Dolls.

Later Friday, Vicksburg stayed alive with a 10-2 mercy-rule shortened game against the Indy Crush Gold of Brownsburg, Ind.

The Dolls scored eight runs in the sixth inning. Anderson started the game and struck out six. Fuller came on in relief to earn the win.

Kerut and Miller led the offense with two hits apiece. Patti Collins had an inside-the-park home run and Anderson had a three-run double. Kerut also had an RBI.