Vicksburg Gators players, from left, Carlisle Koestler, C.J. Ross, Grant Camillo and Jonah Masterson react during their team’s 12-2 win over Clarksdale. (Jon GiffinThe Vicksburg Post)

[7/24/04]The powerful hitting of the Vicksburg Gators propelled them to a 12-2 win over the Clarksdale Americans Friday in the opening round of the 7-8-year-olds’ Governor’s Cup.

“We did really good,” Gator pitcher Steven Busman said. “I was glad to be here.”

The Gators’ offense came out firing on all cylinders and never slowed down. Busman’s single was one of 14 Vicksburg hits in the four-inning game.

The first four Gators to come to the plate had hits, beginning with Nathan Murrell’s single. He was followed by Jonah Masterson’s base hit, Curtis Ross’ triple, and Alex Thomas’ single.

Murrell, Masterson, and Ross eventually scored in the inning, along with Andre Terry who reached base on a fielder’s choice.

The second was not as productive for Vicksburg only two hits and two runs. Carlisle Koestler and Grant Camillo both had singles, and Brandon Beck, who had reached on an error, scored along with Koestler in the quick inning.

The Gators put the game away in the third.

Eight batters came to the plate, and all reached base before the six-run-per-inning rule took effect.

Clarksdale had two hits in the first three innings before squeaking out two runs, but it couldn’t overcome the Gators’ 12-run lead.

Gators manhandle Culkin, 10-0

[7/25/04]The Culkin Rangers couldn’t match up to the Vicksburg Gators’ sizzling bats in the Gators’ 10-0 win on Saturday, the second day of the Governor’s Cup.

Vicksburg’s nine-hit attack was led by Steven Busma and Nathan Murrell, who each had two hits.

“If we keep the bats going, we’re going to keep winning,” Gators coach Matt Rohrer said. “We need to come out aggressive and stroke the ball and we’ll do real well.”

The first inning gave the Gators one run, scored by Murrell, who had singled to lead off. Andre Terry and Busma also had base hits.

The Gators broke out in the second with seven runs on three hits, including inside-the-park home runs by E. J. Myles and Murrell.

Lee Middleton had the first hit of the inning, and he scored on Myles’ homer.

Several more Gators scored in the inning after reaching on errors or fielder’s choices, including Jakory Walker, Brandon Beck, Grant Camillo and Hunter Atwood.

The third was not as productive for Vicksburg. Jonah Masterson’s leadoff single was the Gators’ only hit as the next three batters went down to end the inning.

In the fourth inning, the Gators scored two runs to increase their lead to 10 runs, and the tournament’s four-inning mercy rule took effect.

“We’ve seen some good teams this weekend, and the kids have done great so far,” Rohrer said. “The key is going to be hitting the ball. If we can have steady offense, we’ll do fine.”

The Rangers had just three hits in the game and couldn’t manage to get a runner across the plate.

Willie Thomas’ triple in the first looked promising for Culkin, but that was the only serious offense they had all game.

The Rangers’ only chance to score came in the third, when Patrick Murphy and Sam Kirk hit back-to-back singles to lead off the inning, but the Gators got a quick groundout and a double play to end the threat.