Hartselle set to host 3 Dixie softball tournaments this month
By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle's Dixie Girl's Softball League will host sub-district tournaments in three age divisions at the Grady &Margie Long Softball Complex beginning today at 5:45 p.m. and continuing through Thursday, June 28.
The Darlings (7-8) will get the early call to begin play while the Angels (9-10) and the Ponytails (11-12) will launch their tournaments on Saturday.
Four of the 15 all-star teams in the competition represent Hartselle. They will face competition from teams located in Decatur, Greenhill, Underwood, Colbert Heights and Muscle Shoals.
"This may be the first time we've ever had three post-season girl's softball tournaments being played in Hartselle at the same time," said Keith Long, league president. "We're going to have players from15 all-star teams going at each other and hundreds of fans at each field cheering them on. It's going to be a lot of fun."
"Our players, coaches, parents, league officials and Parks and Recreation Department are all committed to making this a successful venture," he added. "Now we hope all of Hartselle's softball fans will come out and enjoy the games."
Hartselle will be represented by two Darlings all-star teams. The Hartselle American team consists of Brooklyn Wallace, Callie Partlow, Gracie Poe, Reagan Martin, Makenzie Parker, Reagan Bowling, Rose Braun, Tori Blaylock, Laninya Wiggins, Megan Zuck, Haley Mitchell and Courtney Blackwood. Their head coach is Danny Heard. He is assisted by Tim Martin, Derek Parker and Brian Wallace.
Members of the National all-star team are Gabrielle Beli, Jordan Finn, Serra Harris, Lindsey Robinson, Jordan Pershin, Lindsay Berry, Kaitlyn Thompson, Billie Shelton, Allie Ledbetter, Alex Letson, Annslee Green and Cassie Beth Powell. Their head coach is Liz Wilhelm. Her assistants are Tennira Beli, Jason Harris and Misty Shelton.
Belles open district play Saturday
Hartselle's Belles (13-15) division all-stars will begin post-season competition Saturday, June 23, at 8 p.m. against host Underwood in the Northwest Alabama Dixie Softball Tournament. Brooks and Muscle Shoals are matched in a 6 p.m. game. Central of Florence received an opening round bye. The tourney was originally scheduled to begin Tuesday, June 26.
Hartselle will play again on June 26 at 8 p.m. if they win their Saturday game. If they lose, they will play again June 25 at 8 p.m. The winner of the double elimination competition will be determined on Friday, June 29.
Hartselle Belles are coached by Kenneth Romager, head, and Kerry Hill and Mike Gentle, assistants. Players are Chelsea Bennich, Ashley Bonner, Katie Gentle, Olivia Golden, Meaghan Gray, Laken Hamilton, Allie Hill, Katelyn Hill, Abby McHugh, Breanna Riley, Leah Robinson and Lindsey Romager.
