By By GREG KATSKI
Staff Writer
The stands were packed at the Susiegray McConnell Sports Complex on Monday evening in anticipation of the 2009 District 6 Babe Ruth Softball Tournament.
Family, friends and fans were on-hand to cheer the little league softball all-stars as every team in the tournament paraded in front of the crowd.
Washington and Chocowinity boasted all-star teams in every age group (8U, 10U, 12U, 14U and 16U), while teams from East Beaufort, Jamesville, Plymouth and Williamston filled out the age divisions.
Each team is playing for an opportunity to move on to the ENC state tournament, except for the Williamston teams, which have received automatic bids as tournament hosts. The state tournament begins July 8 in Williamston.
The teams that finish first and second in each age division in the state tournament move on to the southeast regional in Varina, Va. the following week.
But first, the teams have to make it out of the District 6 tournament, which runs through the week. The championship games in every age division are set for Friday night at the McConnell Sports Complex.
The tournament got off to a rocking start Monday night with games in each age group.
In the 8U division, Washington handled Chocowinity 14-2, while Jamesville beat Williamston 17-16.
The 10U division featured a 9-2 Washington win over Jamesville, and a 27-3 win by Williamston over East Beaufort.
The 12U division had Chocowinity lose to East Beaufort 6-4, while Williamston beat Plymouth 12-3.
The 16U division played host to a heated rivalry between Washington and Chocowinity, with Washington falling to Chocowinity 7-5.
Each age division will feature matchups at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. leading up to the championship games on Friday night.
The tournament, organized by the Washington girls softball league and the City of Washington, is expected to host a record turnout, according to league president Greg Dority.
He also said he expects some competitive, low-scoring pitchers’ duels.
“We are considered to have some of the strongest pitching in the state,” he said. “We have a lot of strong pitchers in Washington, Chocowinity and Williamston, especially.”
“There should be some competitive ball out here,” he added.