Sparkman Wins 6A Softball Title with 6-5 Win In Finals
Sparkman, playing in the Class 6A state softball finals at Montgomery’s Lagoon Park while the school’s baseball team was across town battling Spain Park at Riverwalk Stadium in the Class 6A baseball finals, beat Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa 6-5 in eight innings to close out the tourney undefeated.
The Senators managed only four hits off two Hillcrest pitchers. Ariel Smith slammed a two-run homer for the big hit. Sparkman got the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning when Jordan Bullock scored from second base when Hillcrest misplayed a grounder off the bat of Haley Cope.
Lead-off hitter Bevia Robinson scored two runs for Sparkman and was named the 6A Tourney MVP.
Hillcrest, which totaled 11 hits, got home runs from Desiree Morrow and Dakota Morrow. Dakota finished with two hits and three RBIs and Desiree had two hits and two RBIs. Karley Sanders and Allison Freeman also had two hits.
Samantha Mayhall started and pitched two innings for Sparkman. Bailey Moore hurled four innings allowing seven hits and two runs, and Kailey Stoker got the win shutting out the Patriots the last two innings. Hannah Payne pitched 4 2/3 innings to get the loss.
Sparkman also beat Hillcrest 7-2 in the winner’s bracket finals and had wins over Spain Park (6-5) and Mary Montgomery (7-2).
Class 6A All-Tourney Team
Bevia Robinson, Sparkman (MVP); Kailey Stoker, Sparkman; Samantha Mayhall, Sparkman; Bailey Moore, Sparkman; Abriana Fornis, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa; Desiree Morrow, Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa; Samantha Cummings; Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa; Kaylea Zalas, Mary Montgomery; Mary Hannah Smith, Baker; Mary Katheryn Bonamy, Spain Park.
Alexandria Rallies To Win Class 4A State Softball Title
Alexandria’s Erin Farlow had one hit, drove in two runs and scored twice to lead the Valley Cubs to a 5-4 win over Alabama Christian in the Class 4A state softball tournament finals Saturday night at Lagoon Park.
The Valley Cubs trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth but scored two runs to take a 2-1 lead. Alabama Christian responded with three runs – the big blow a two-run homer by Jordan Jones in the top of the sixth – and led 4-2. Alexandria then scored three runs to regain the lead and winning pitcher Taylor Ellison did the rest by shutting out the Eagles in the seventh. Ellison pitched the complete game scattering six hits and striking out five. Caytelynn Howell also had a double and single for Alexandria.
Jones had two hits and three RBIs for the Eagles.
Alexandria finished 4-0 beating Headland 6-5, Central-Florence 6-2 and Alabama Christian 3-0 to reach the finals.
Class 4A All-Tourney Team
Lauren O’Dell, Alexandria (MVP); Kaitlyn Rhodes, Alexandria; Taylor Ellison, Alexandria; Catelynn Howell, Alexandria; Caitlin Perry, Alabama Christian; Peyton Kegley, Alabama Christian; Jordan Jones, Alabama Christian; Jaycie Walker, Headland; Holly Ward, Haleyville.
Hale County Rolls To Class 2A State Softball Crown
Hale County exploded for seven runs in the fourth inning to take control and rolled past Zion Chapel 8-0 and claim the AHSAA Class 2A state softball championship Saturday night at Montgomery’s Lagoon Park.
After Harley Stokes’ lead-off home run in the top of the second inning gave the Wildcats a 1-0 lead, she opened the top of the fourth with a single and later scored when Brooke Perkins reached on an error.
Hale County’s Olivia McCray, Jayci Jones and Charlsey Payne had two RBI hits in the decisive inning.
Tournament MVP Savanna Holmes held Zion Chapel in check, giving up only two hits, three strikeouts and a walk. For the tournament, she pitched all four games, giving up only four runs, seven walks and struck out 29. She also went 6-for-12 at the plate in four games.
The Wildcats opened the tournament with wins over G.W. Long 6-3 and Goshen 5-0, then slipped past Zion Chapel 2-1 earlier Saturday in the finals of the winners’ bracket. Zion Chapel downed defending state champion Hatton 6-5 to reach the finals.
Class 2A All-State Tourney Team
Savanna Holmes, Hale County (MVP); Kayla Wyatt, Hale County; Lexie Perry, Hale County; Jayci Jones, Hale County; Shelby Sorrells, Zion Chapel; Billie Copeland, Zion Chapel; Ivy Sanders, Zion Chapel; Loghan Cripple, G.W. Long; Jami Hunter, Hatton.