Lady Tigers fall in area final
By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
FLORETTE – The top ranked team in the state the Hartselle Lady Tigers were upset by the Cullman Lady Bearcats in the finals of the 5A-Area 15 softball tournament. Hartselle will have to travel for it's first-round state playoff series due to the loss. The Lady Tigers whipped Athens twice during the tourney to reach the area championship game.
Hartselle 2, Athens 1
It took 11 innings for the Lady Tigers to fight off the Lady Golden Eagles. Hartselle trailed 1-0 in the bottom of the seventh inning when the Lady Tigers rallied. Anna Byrd singled to lead off the inning. Byrd came home on a double by Shanice Johnson to tie the score.
Athens loaded the bases in the top of the inning 11 but could not score. The Lady Tigers put across the winning run in the bottom of the inning.
Byrd singled with one out then Johnson was hit by a pitch giving Hartselle runners at first and second. Sarah Whitlow then singled to load the bases. Rachel Carden then singled to right field bringing Byrd home with the winning run.
Cullman 4, Hartselle 2
The Lady Tigers fell into the loser's bracket with the loss to Cullman. Hartselle's only two runs came in the third inning. Anna Byrd and Sabrina Roberts singled to give the Lady Tigers two runners on base.
Shanice Johnson then moved the runners to second and third with a sacrifice bunt. Both players scored when JJ Lawrimore reached on a throwing error.
Hartselle 2, Athens 0
The Lady Tigers whipped Athens to reach the area championship game. Hartselle scored one run in the top of the first inning. Shanice Johnson singled and came home on JJ Lawrimore's double.
Hartselle added a run in the third when Shan Jones singled and then scored when Athens made two throwing errors on the same play.
Sabrina Roberts picked up the win to break the school record for wins by a pitcher. Roberts now has 60 career wins on the mound for the Lady Tigers.
Cullman 2, Hartselle 1
The Lady Tigers scored their only run in the fourth when Sarah Whitlow doubled and came home when Holly Hampton followed with a double of her own.
The loss sent the Lady Tigers to Muscle Shoals for a first round playoff series Tuesday.
Due to an early deadline results of those games were not available.
