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It was a beautiful night for softball on Tuesday as the Morristown 9-10 year old Softball All-Stars faced off against the Smoky Mountain All-Stars to decide the District Championship.

Morristown took home the hardware in convincing fashion, building a 3-0 lead after the first into a decisive 15-0 victory in four innings.

Morristown won the first game of the District Championship series on Monday, 12-1. 

“We’re super excited, the girls are super happy,” said coach Court Daniell after the game. “We’re happy about the win, and excited to advance to the state tournament.”

Aubrey Daniell, daughter of coach Daniell, got the start in the circle for Morristown. She allowed only two batters to get on base and struck out twelve in her shutout win. Her pitching played a crucial role in her team the Mystics undefeated season in the spring, and proved invaluable in the all stars district championship run.

“She played great out there. She’s worked hard all year,” said coach Daniell after the game. “She’s put in a lot of time on the mound and it’s paid off. She did great today and pitched us to state, so we’re happy.”

After Daniell struck out the side in the bottom of the first, Morristown scored two in the top of the second off of a single from Camilla Crockett.

Smoky Mountain managed to get two runners on base in the second, but three more strikeouts from Daniell allowed Morristown to end the inning unscathed.

The third inning came to a quick end as Morristown grounded out three times and Daniell again struck out the side.

The floodgates really opened in the fourth with Morristown pouring on their remaining 11 runs in the inning.

An RBI from Keira Ladd got things started and back to back RBI singles from Bristol McMahan and Elizabeth Claire Stewart, to center and down the left field line respectively, highlighted the inning.

Gracelyn Coy put the exclamation point on the game with her three-run inside-the-park homer that followed and Daniell again struck out all three in the bottom to close things out.

Following Tuesday’s game players, coaches and parents joined to pay tribute to Keira Ladd, whose mother passed away just two weeks ago. She showed great strength on the field.

The Morristown all stars ended the night as district champions, and hope to build on their success as they advance to the state tournament in Maryville.