Wroten throws two-hitter in District 3 win over Europe-Africa
Pitcher Taylor Wroten picked up another win in the Senior Softball World Series, throwing a two-hitter while allowing just two runs in Georgetown’s 2-0 win over Europe-Africa Aug. 3 in the quarterfinals. The win moves the host team into the semifinals against the Southwest team Saturday, Aug. 4, at 8 p.m.
“My pitching wasn’t working as well as I would have liked it to, but it seemed to be effective,” said a smiling Wroten. “So I guess you can say it was working. We mixed a little of everything. Curve, back-up curve, screw, back-door screw. They are a very good team. When the first batter got up ad took the first pitch to deep right field, I wasn’t sure of what we were getting into.”
The Europe-Africa squad were 1-3, but proved that they were going to give the District 3 all-stars everything they could handle.
“We can’t overlook any team now,” said Wroten. ”Earlier somebody said when you hit bracket play it just seems like every team kicks it into a whole new gear.”
District 3 bats delivered with six hits in the contest. Jordyn DiFava picked up two hits.
“She had medium speed and when she came inside on me, I had to hit it out front and keep my hands in and drive the ball,” DiFava said.
Wroten, Ryleigh Elliott, Kayla Evans and Macy Layfield each had hits, with Evans and Layfield knocking in the two runs each for District 3.
Evans went up the middle to score Wroten in the second inning.
“The previous batter told me she came inside,” said Evans. “But I know she might mix it up with me, and I just waited on my pitch, and she came outside in my zone and I took it up the middle. Today was not one of our better games hitting wise, so hopefully we can get the bats on the ball against Southwest.””
Layfield picked up her RBI on a bases loaded walk in the sixth inning.
“I’m very proud of my team,” said Layfield. “We knew coming in that they [Europe-Africa] were the lower seed than us, but we knew that we had to treat them like they were one of the best teams out there and we cannot get like slapped in the face.”
“They were a very good team,” said pitching coach Robin Wroten. ”We knew we had to figure out what’s working and mix it up because we can’t take anything for granted.”
“Once they finished their pool play, they carried over the momentum from their comeback win the night before,” said District 3 manager Craig Kormanik. “They had tough pool competition and were an excellent 1-3 team. Everyone wants to knock off the winner from last year.”
He also praised Wroten for her performance in the circle.
“What makes Taylor so tough is that she has very high standards. So were looking for another good performance tonight against Southwest.”
The District 3 squad defeated Southwest in 12 innings earlier in the tournament.
