Hartselle’s Lady Tigers launched their 2013 softball season with three wins, a tie and a loss in the Hazel Green Invitational Tournament at the Sportsplex in Huntsville on Friday and Saturday.

An earlier home opener with Bob Jones had to be postponed until due to wet field conditions.

The Lady Tigers defeated West Morgan, 8-1 and Huntsville, 8-0 on Friday On Saturday, they had a 6-2 win over host Hazel Green, a 0-1 loss to Sparkman and a tie with Athens (three innings).

Hartselle’s JV team won all four of its tournament games, 11-0 over New Hope, 15-0 over Sparkman, 9-0 over Bob Jones and 4-3 over Hazel Green.

“I thought they hit the ball well and pitching was good,” said head coach Christy Ferguson. Given the competition we faced and this being our first games, I was pretty well satisfied.”

“But that doesn’t mean we don’t have things we can improve on,” she pointed out. “We face tough teams throughout our schedule and that means we have to be prepared to make plays to win games that go down to the wire.”

The Lady Tigers’ varsity exploded for 12 hits in their 8-1 win over West Morgan. Leah Stephenson blasted a home run and had two singles, Ashley Boggs doubled, singled twice and had an RBI and Baylee Holt doubled, singled and had two RBIs. Sarah Ellen Battles, Taylor Wascavage, Haley Jared, and Madeline Sittason each singled.

Jared was the winning pitcher. She allowed three hits, struck out seven and walked five batters.

In the 8-0 win over Huntsville, Kayla Faulk led the way at the plate with a homer, single and three RBIs. Jada Hayes had a pair of singles and an RBI and Boggs, Wascavage and Battles each singled.

Emily Lipinski was the winning pitcher. She gave up two hits while allowing four bases on balls and recording five strikeouts.

Wascavage had a double and an RBI in Hartselle’s 6-2 win over Hazel Green. Hayes had a pair of singles and Battles and Madeline Sittason each singled.

Faulk was the winning pitcher, allowing five hits, a walk and recording two strikeouts.

The Lady Tigers will face Athens in their first home game on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.