After many rain delays, the season for the Vicksburg Girls Softball Association is winding down. The Carpet One girls will play the Ergon team in the 12 and under championship game Friday night.

President of the VGSA Rick Daughtry served as interim coach for the Carpet One team as they played a double header Wednesday. Daughtry was proud of how the girls played.

“I just came in, gave the batting order and told them to win,” Daughtry said.

The first game played was actually a forfeit, as the opposing team did not have enough players. For formality reasons, they continued the game.

Carpet One was off to an easy start in the first game as the opposing pitcher gave up two runs and at least16 balls to Carpet One. The opposing pitcher had problems throwing the softball to home plate, falling short of the batters box.

Carpet One stole bases easily through out the first game to take an early 2-0 lead. Teammates began screaming dugout chants encouraging the players on the field. The lead quickly grew as the chants started.

Daughtry tried to make the game a bit more even as he took first baseman Jazmine Miller of Carpet One and placed her on the opposing team. This made the girls upset initially but they overcame at as Miller was sent back to Carpet One.

Carpet One had periods of time where they seemed confused and unsure of where to throw the ball to make a play, but scored 13 runs to 10.

The girls played a more competitive game in the second half of the doubleheader winning 11 runs to 10. This was the first time all day they were down in runs and had to fight back for a win. Not controlling loose balls contributed to Carpet One falling behind.

“The girls were pretty much the same, of course they were a little bit tired but they pulled through,” Daughtry said

Both teams showed great levels of communication by alerting their team of players whereabouts on bases, who was getting ready to steal a base and where to throw to ball to make a play. Carpet One opened the second game with a triple run. Through the second game players had nice strong hits to help bring runners into home.

Miller said it wasn’t really tough to transition from playing the first game to the second. Miller prides herself on being a good first-base player and showed she can steal bases and play strong defense.

Miller is prepared for the championship game thinks Carpet One is capable of winning.

“Ergon is a really intense team. We have to practice and I’m going to be on my A-game,” Miller said.