Local softball roundup, March 2-7: PCHS wins area opener, Red Bay takes two of three
Here’s a look at the softball action from teams around Franklin County:
Monday, March 2
Colbert County 7, Russellville 3
After taking an initial 2-0 lead to start the game, the Lady Golden Tigers allowed Colbert County seven unanswered runs in their lone contest of the week. Russellville’s three runs came via bases loaded walks drawn by Sadie Odom and Chloe James in the first inning and then an RBI triple by Ticelee Gholston in the seventh. Kaylee Suggs, who pitched all six innings for RHS, took the loss, allowing seven runs (three earned) on seven hits while striking out four batters. The loss dropped RHS to 4-2 overall.
Tuesday, March 3
Tharptown 16, Brilliant 2
The Lady Wildcats made quick work of Brilliant in their first game of the week. Already up 6-0 at the end of two innings, THS scored in all but the fourth inning (out of six played). Tharptown’s biggest offensive effort came at the end when the visitors hung seven runs on the Lady Tigers, giving THS enough cushion to end the game an inning early. Tharptown’s 16 hits matched its run total. Four different Lady Wildcats—Alyssa Fischer, Cadence Kennedy, Lexi Little, and Gabi Johnson—finished with three-hit games. Two of Fischer’s hits were home runs and Little had a home run of her own, as well; both players finished with a game-high four RBIs. Kennedy continued her hot start to the season in the circle, pitching all six innings and allowing two runs—one earned—on four hits while striking out 11 batters. The win improved Tharptown’s record to 5-3.
Cherokee 14, Vina 5
Phil Campbell 11, Sheffield 0
The Lady Bobcats routed the competition to pick up their first area win of the campaign. Behind a dominant pitching performance from Addi James, who tossed five shutout innings and allowed just two hits, PCHS was able to run-rule the Lady Bulldogs and improve to .500 overall. Phil Campbell opened the scoring with a six-run second inning, added four more runs in the third, and, for good measured, tacked on an 11th in the bottom of the fourth. Bella Welch led with a team-high three hits while Georgia Motes led her team with three RBIs. Katelin Hester, Madison Baker, and Chaley Bullington also had multi-RBI games.
Thursday, March 5
Winfield 19, Belgreen 9
Red Bay 16, Tremont 0
The Lady Tigers took no prisoners in their blowout victory over Tremont. RBHS exploded offensively in the bottom of the first inning, scoring 12 runs on three hits. The hosts were helped tremendously by Tremont mistakes, which included six batters hit by pitches and an error. Red Bay added four more runs in the second and the game was over after three innings. Gracie Edgmon and Emma Blackburn had two hits and three RBIs each in the win. McKenna Young and Mikayela Jackson both came around to score three times. In the circle, Charley Lindley earned the shutout win allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out five batters.
Friday, March 6
Red Bay 3, Decatur Heritage 2
Belgreen 5, Shoals Christian 1
BHS pushed two runs in the first, a run in the second, and a final two more runs past Shoals Christian to win by four runs in a four-inning game. Shaylyn Bryant and Jemma Moore had a hand in all five runs scored by the Lady Bulldogs, both recording two RBIs and Bryant coming around to score. Zoey Blaxton pitched all four innings for Belgreen, allowing one unearned run off three hits while striking out five batters.
Colbert Heights 4, Tharptown 2
Vina 15, Phil Campbell 3
Vina dispatched Phil Campbell in three innings Friday, opening with a four-run top of the first inning, a nine-run second inning and two runs in the final inning. Braxtynn Quinn led the Lady Red Devils at the dish, finishing the game with three hits, four RBIs, and two runs scored. Mikayla Shotts pitched all three innings for VHS, recording five strikeouts while allowing three runs—one earned—on four hits.
Belgreen 15, Vina 0
The Lady Bulldogs routed the Lady Red Devils in three innings to cap their week. BHS plated six runs in the first, three in the second, and six more to close out things in the third. Six different BHS players finished with multiple hits, but it was third baseman Kendra Williams who led her team with four RBIs and came across to score a run. In the circle, junior Jemma Moore allowed one hit and struck out three batters in the win.
Colbert County 9, Phil Campbell 4
Saturday, March 7
Waterloo 4, Tharptown 1
Waterloo 11, Red Bay 0