Belles in final series at State

By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
EUFAULA – The Hartselle Belles All-Stars are off to a sizzling start at the state tournament in Eufaula. They have won four straight games in a row and are the only undefeated team in the tournament.
Hartselle faced Linden Tuesday night at 6 p.m. for the state championship, but unfortunately results were not available at presstime.
Fourth round game
Hartselle 6
Eufaula 5
Hartselle trailed 5-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning before Hayden Watts' two-RBI double brought home Danielle Carden and Leah Dobbins to send the Belles into the winners' bracket final.
Dobbins also hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Third round game
Hartselle 10
Linden 9
Sunday, Hartselle scored seven runs in the top of the sixth inning to take a 10-7 lead before surviving a late Linden rally to remain undefeated.
The game clincher was a throw from first baseman Meaghan Gray to catcher Leah Dobbins that cut down the would-be tying run.
Carden picked up the win, working 3.2 innings and striking out six while scattering four hits. Breana Riley, Watts and Jacquie Shadden each had two hits while Carden, Dobbins, Meghan Stephenson and Alex Paulsen each singled once.
Second round game
Hartselle 9
Montgomery Gray 3
After trailing 5-1 through five innings, Hartselle scored four runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to win going away.
In the top of the fifth, Watts reached on a double and came home to score on a fielder's choice to make the score 3-2. Hartselle broke it open in the sixth, with Riley and Katie Salverson each doubling in the inning and Deleasa Henderson, Chelsea Fagan and Dobbins each singling.
Hartselle added its insurance in the seventh on a double by Jacquie Shadden, a single by Meghan Stephenson, a single by Dallas Snell and a triple by Henderson. Riley picked up the win, striking out 12 batters in six innings of work.
First round game
Hartselle 3
Eufaula 2
After falling behind 2-0 in the first inning, Hartselle battled back to take the opener.
Hartselle scored its first run in the bottom of the first inning on a walk, stolen base, and a single by Carden. Hartselle tied the game in the fourth on a double by Dobbins, who came home to score on a sacrifice fly.
Hartselle won the game in the bottom of the eighth inning when Gray scored from second base on a two-out single by Watts. Gray picked up the win in relief, working the last two innings and allowing no hits.
Sports Editor Justin Schuver contributed to this report.