The Red team’s Anna Jones waits for a call from the umpire after tagging out Blue team’s Heather Pritchard at home plate during their all-star softball game on Tuesday at Halls Ferry Park. (Melanie Duncan ThortisThe Vicksburg Post)

[7/9/03]Kory Miller singled in the game-winning run in the top of the sixth inning to begin a three-run rally as the Red team defeated the Blue team, 9-6, in extra innings in the first VGSA softball all-star series.

The teams featured the best players from ages 11-14 in the VGSA.

On Monday, the Red won Game 1, 3-2, and the Blue followed with a 6-5 victory in Game 2 to set up the deciding Game 3 on Tuesday.

The excitement from the three close games may ensure that the series becomes an annual event.

“These girls didn’t have anything to do the rest of the summer,” league commissioner Henry Bordelon said. “We thought it’d be good to pick two teams and play three games instead of playing in tournaments. It’s been a lot of fun.”

The Blue team began Game 3 with four runs in the first inning. Red pitcher Tiffany Fuller walked three batters, hit one and threw a wild pitch that allowed a run.

Blue pitcher Andi Hearn was the exact opposite as she found the strike zone early and often. Hearn struck out five in the first two innings, including a three-batter, three-strikeout second inning.

The Red team finally got to Hearn in the third inning. Bridget Dillon drew a lead-off walk and stole second and third. After Kory Miller struck out, Mandy Bordelon walked. Dillon scored on a groundout.

With two outs, Tiffany Fuller singled in Bordelon to cut the Blue lead to 4-2.

But the Blue team came right back with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning.

After getting Christy Shelby to pop out, Tiffany Fuller gave up three consecutive walks to load the bases. She then threw two wild pitches that allowed two runs to score, giving Blue a 6-2 lead.

Tiffany Fuller nearly was flawless the rest of the way. She scattered two hits and two walks over the final thre innings to give the Red team a chance.

“Tiffany Fuller is a warrior,” Red coach Ryan Nelson said. “We can always count on her.”

Anna Jones led off the fourth with a single, advanced to second on a bad throw and stole third, and Jessica May sent her home.

Kory Miller walked and Mandy Fuller hit a two-out single to load the bases for Brandi McAdory. Hearn then walked McAdory to allow a run.

Neither team could muster a run in the final inning and the game went into extra innings.

Miller led off for the Red team with a single to send Dillon home for the win. The Red team added two more when Bordelon tripled to right field, followed by a single from Mandy Fuller.