By DAHALIA SMITH, NG Sports Reporter, dahalia@nasguard.com

After finishing at the bottom of the league last year, the D.W. Davis Pitbulls are the new Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) junior boys champions.

Pitcher Rakeem Munroe led the Pitbulls to a 2-1 series win over the A.F. Adderley Tigers while Winston Hanna suffered the loss. They ripped through the Tigers 11-6 in a decisive game three at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex on Wednesday.

The Pitbulls registered four runs in first inning to the Tigers' two. It was a scoreless second for the Tigers and by the end of the inning, the Pitbulls extended their lead to 5-2. The Tigers came within two runs in the third, pushing a run across the plate. However, the Pitbulls had a six-run surge in the fourth inning and the Tigers responded with three in the final inning, but it wasn't enough.

Stepping up for the Pitbulls in the win were Lance Thompson, who went 3-for-4 and scored three runs, Munroe who went 2-for-3 and scored two runs and Siddron Pierre, who went a perfect 3-for-3 and scored three runs. Charles Gaitor went 3-for-3 and scored three runs in a losing effort.

After the game, Marilyn Toote noted: "The guys really stepped up to the plate, cut down on the errors and hit well. I could not ask for anything more. In game two, the guys said they lost because they did not warm up properly. So, today we got out here early and they were better prepared. Next year, I will be working with a brand new squad. My pitcher will be moving up to the senior high school and at this point I am not certain as to who will fill his shoes."

A dejected Hanna speaking on behalf his coach, New Providence Softball Association (NPSA) player Keisha Pratt, noted after the game: "The guys were trying to play big ball instead of small ball today. This means they were trying to hit home runs instead of getting base hits and then runs. Also, after winning game two yesterday the guys came into the third game somewhat over-confident. They felt as if the third game would be an easy one to win. Nonetheless, last year we did not make it as far as the playoffs so in comparison, there is some level of improvement. This is my last year pitching in the junior division and next year I expect to play on the senior team. For the most part, the seventh and eighth graders will be taking over and that will be a good team."

The GSSSA senior girls championship series between the C.R. Walker Knights and the C.C. Sweeting Cobras got underway yesterday. In the end, the Knights won 13-12 and took a 1-0 series lead.

After the game, the Knights celebrated as if they had just won the championship. They lost to the Cobras in the championship last year, and according to Knights' coach Tyrese Curry, the first win of the series was considered redemption. Game two is set for a 4:00 p.m. start today at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex.