Virginia and Mississippi were all set to tangle on Monday night, but Mother Nature had other plans putting on a lightening show all evening and dropping upwards of 7 inches of rain on Troy, Alabama. On Tuesday afternoon after a morning full of showers the teams, both at 2-1, would get down to business.

Mississippi would strike first in the top of the first with two base hits and two base on balls, but the Virginia defense was solid and got out of the inning only surrendering one run while leaving the bases full. Virginia would answer in the bottom of the first as Rachel Harding lead off with a single. Harding would steal second and come around to score on a RBI double off the bat of Emily Scaggs tying the game after 1, at 1-all.

Mississippi would threaten in the second by loading the bases again, but the Virginia defense held and gave up no runs. Courtney Raines, Tori Boyd, and McKenzie Lawrence would lead off the bottom of the second by working the pitcher for walks. Rebecca Harding would drill a two run double to center to put Virginia ahead 3-1 after two complete.

For the third inning in a row, Mississippi would load the bases but this time capitalize on two timely hits to plate four runs in the third and take a 5-3 lead. Mississippi’s momentum would shut Virginia down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the third keeping the score 5-3.

Virginia turned to pitcher Skyler Dehart in the top of the fourth and retired Mississippi in order. Virginia would load the bases in the bottom of the inning with a walk by Abby Wilson, followed by a walk to Raines and a single by Boyd. Virginia would plate Wilson off a deep RBI sacrifice fly from Rebecca Harding but strand the others as the lead was cut to 5-4.

Mississippi first batter in the fifth would double to the gap, steal third and come home on an RBI single getting the all-important insurance run and increasing their lead to 6-4. Virginia would make things interesting in the bottom of the fifth, as Morgen Wade would hustle out a play at first to start a rally. Wade would steal second and third and score on a fielder’s choice RBI from Rachel Harding. Mississippi however would record the third out and end team Virginia’s magical run and escape with a 6-5 win.

Although heartbroken, team Virginia from Montgomery County had a special and magical run in post season play. They became Montgomery County Parks & Recreation’s most successful team ever becoming the 2012 District 6 Champions, the Virginia State Champions and finished in fifth place in the inaugural Dixie Angels X-play World Series. They will forever be remembered and in our hearts.

Team Virginia is Rachel Harding, Skyler Dehart, Emily Scaggs, Jaylin Shepherd, Abby Wilson, Courtney Raines, Tori Boyd, McKenzie Lawrence, Rebecca Harding, Addy Huff, Leah Harrison and Morgen Wade. The team was coached by Rick Boyd, Booie Dehart, Mike HInkley, Randy Lawrence and William Harrison. Team Virginia was managed by Lonnie Raines.