FERRIDAY — The Ferriday Ponytail League Gators hasn’t scored a whole bunch of runs so far, but with the pitching staff and defense they have, they haven’t needed to.

The Gators went undefeated in their district tournament last week, allowing just eight runs in five games.

They now begin the Ponytail State Tournament in Pineville, La., today when they take on Pine Prairie at 5 p.m.

The tournament has eight teams and is double elimination format.

“Strong pitching carried us through the district tournament,” coach Tommy Milligan said. “We don’t score that many runs, but our pitching and defense will keep us in every game.”

The Gators pitching staff is six pitchers deep, which will be important in the tournament, as each pitcher gets only a total of 13 innings to pitch.

There is also a rule that states if a pitcher pitches into the third inning of one game, she can’t pitch in the next game.

Milligan said he will pitch three pitchers per game, with each pitching two innings, to get around that rule.

But it won’t just be a strong pitching staff that the Gators will rely on. Milligan said they also have the ability to play either small ball or hit for power.

“We have a nice combination of speed and girls who can hit the ball with power,” Milligan said. “We have some who can hit the ball out of the park at anytime.”

Milligan said that combination allows his team’s offense to be flexible.

“We can take whatever the other team gives us,” Milligan said. “We can play small ball or swing away.”