By Ross Johnson

Sports Writer

So far, so good for the Georgia Diamond Dollz.

The team, comprised of 12-and-under girls from Troup County and Newnan, didn’t know how it would stack up against the competition in the ASA Fastpitch Southern National Championship at Shuford Fields.

After a 10-1 win over Central Baldwin County (Ala.) in the opening round Thursday evening, the Diamond Dollz have to feel good about their chances of competing in the tournament.

“Overall, I’m pleased with how we played,” said Georgia head coach Rodney Waldroup. “We did good for the first game.”

The ‘Pool A’ game ended after the fifth inning due to the run-rule, and the win pits Georgia against the Baytown (Tex.) Intensity today at 10 a.m. for a chance at a No. 1 seed.

Baytown defeated Denham Springs (La.) 14-0 in its opening game Thursday.

In the win over Central Baldwin, the Diamond Dollz’ offense was merciless, and the defense, led by starting ace pitcher Shelby O’Neal, didn’t allow much.

O’Neal finished with seven strikeouts, and didn’t allow a run until the fifth inning after Georgia had taken a 10-0 lead.

At the plate, several girls were key in bringing in runs for the Diamond Dollz..

Jenna Pealor hit an RBI single in the first, and came home on an error to give Georgia an early 2-0 lead.

Haley Morris then hit a two-run double in the second for a 4-0 lead, and the Diamond Dollz never looked back.

In the third, Lindsay Stewart scored on a balk, Taylor Livingston had an RBI single, Kia Smith had a one-run double and Morris had another RBI single for an eight-run advantage.

Pealor had a two-run single in the fourth inning with two outs for a 10-0 Georgia lead.

Morris and Pealor were both 2-for-3 at the plate with three RBIs, and Livingston was 3-for-3 with one RBI.

Baldwin County pitcher Shelby Long pitched admirably, but the defense behind her had trouble fielding balls and getting outs.

Waldroup was just glad to see his team get on base.

“We started hitting well as the game went on,” Waldroup said. “We had a bunch of girls with some good hits. “

The tournament will only get more difficult from here, starting today with Baytown.

Should Georgia win this morning, it will play again tonight as a No. 1 seed.

Lose, and the Diamond Dollz will play as a No. 2 seed, with another game also this evening.

Waldroup wants to see even better play from his team in the games to come.

“We had some trouble with the base-running signals, because this is a new team and our first game together,” Waldroup said. “That’s something we’ll correct before (today’s) games.”

With nine other teams from across the Southeast at the tournament, the Diamond Dollz still don’t really know what’s in store for them.

The only thing Waldroup can tell his team to do is compete.

“There will be some great competition,” Waldroup said. “We’ve just got to play our ball.”