ALEXANDRIA, La. — Playing in the opening game of a major tournament can cause anyone to get nervous, and the Ferriday Dixie Belles are no exception.

The Belles had to fight off some early game nerves and it cost them in a 2-1 loss to Sumter, S.C. in the opening game of the Dixie Belles World Series.

“Our nerves were on edge a little bit in the first inning,” Ferriday coach Rut Horne said. “We came out a little shaky.”

Sumter picked up two runs in the top of the first and that’s all they would need thanks to Ferriday’s inability to get key hits.

Ferriday had chances to tie the game or take the lead during the remainder of the contest.

Their best chance came in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Molly Devening led off the inning with a double and then moved to third on a bunt single by Ellen Bairnsfather.

Bairnsfather stole second and when the catcher threw the ball into centerfield while trying to throw her out, Devening scored and Bairnsfather advanced to third.

However, Bairnsfather was thrown out at the plate on a ground ball to third base, which kept Sumter in front.

Ferriday’s other big chance came in the sixth inning.

Desiree Buie led the inning off with a double and was sacrificed to third.

However, a strikeout and groundout ended the inning with Buie still standing on third base.

“We didn’t even need a hit, we just needed the ball to be put in play, but we struck out,” Horne said. “Give (Sumter) credit, they played well. But their pitching was nothing better than we had seen any other game.”

Heidi Thornton was the losing pitcher for Ferriday while Sitton Watson picked up the win for Sumter.

With the loss, Ferriday is forced to play two games today.

They will take on host Alexandria in an elimination game at 10 a.m. and, if they win, will play a team to be determined at 6 p.m.

“We’re gonna go out there and try to put the ball in play,” Horne said. “We’ve come out of the losers bracket before. Hopefully our girls will get a good night’s rest and show up in the morning with our A game.”