The best junior softball players in the AISA came together Tuesday for a duel. The East squad took the 2009 AISA Junior All-Star Game 5-2 behind a three-run fifth inning.

The East took a 1-0 lead in the first inning and the West tied the score in the third and took a 2-1 lead in the fourth, but the East pitching staff allowed no more runs and the offense scored four runs for the win. Pike Liberal’s Rebecca Farrar scored the go-ahead run in the fifth inning.

“I was just happy that we got everyone some playing time and this game was a blast,” East head coach Dusty Perdue said. “We had some timely hitting and our pitching was terrific.”

In the circle, Chelsey Dunaway from Cornerstone, Jordan Edge from Springwood, Courtney Baker from Hooper and Pike Liberal’s Shelby Broadway combined to toss a one-hitter for the East.

“All of our pitchers were throwing well and keeping the hitters off balance,” said Perdue, who is also the head coach of the 3A state champion Glenwood Gators. “I am proud of how they all pitched.”

Perdue said he enjoyed coaching the all-star team.

“It was great to coach all of these girls when they knew that I was not the enemy,” he said. “It was a fun day for all of us.”

Click here for a photo gallery of Tuesday’s action