Lady Indians go for district title

Gaffney's Julie Sarratt has been outstanding in the district playoffs. Gaffney's Julie Sarratt has left her mark on the district tournament.

Sarratt held heavy-hitting Wren to only five hits in a 2-0 victory over the top-seed last Friday. She also was the game's offensive star with a decisive 2-run homer in the top of the sixth inning for the game's only runs.

And the Lady Indians will need Sarratt to be at her best again during today's district championship game against Wren, which beat Lancaster in an elimination game on Tuesday.

Today's game at Fuller Field will begin at 5:30 p.m. Wren must beat the Lady Indians twice to advance to the upperstate tournament.

"Julie has really stepped it up in the playoffs," Gaffney coach Kelly Ellis said. "She has thrown well and is hitting the ball well."

Ellis said offense will be the deciding factor in today's outcome.

"We have to hit the ball better," she said. The Lady Indians opened the district tournament with a 5-0 victory over Lancaster last Thursday.

Katie Patterson was the bright spot offensively for the Lady Indians with a triple and double.

Sarratt allowed just one hit in the win.

The Gaffney coach said her team seems to be peaking at the right time.

"The two playoff games are some of the best games we've played," Ellis said.

But Ellis is quick to point out the Lady Indians have been in this position before but let the district title slip away. Last season, North Augusta beat Gaffney twice to advance to the upperstate tournament.

"This is a different year," a confident Ellis said. "The way we've been playing lately, I think we'll be all right."

Ellis said she is hoping for enthusiastic fan support as the Lady Indians try to advance to upperstate for the first time under the existing playoff format.

"We had a big crowd at Wren and I feel we'll have even more at this one," the Gaffney coach said.

The district champion will play either Easley or Mauldin in the upperstate tournament.