Belles advance to World Series

By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
DOTHAN – "We're going to Florida; we're in the World Series," was a chant repeated often by Hartselle's Dixie Belles (13-to-15-year-old) All-Stars on Monday night after they flattened Abbeville 7-2 to capture their second consecutive Alabama state championship crown.
In the final, Hartselle scored three runs in the first inning, two in the third and two in the fifth. The Belles had 12 hits, led by Meaghan Gray with three singles and three RBIs. Olivia Golden had a double and two singles; Katie Gentle hit two singles; Ashley Bonner doubled and Allie Hill, Katelyn Hill and Laken Hamilton each singled.
Breanna Riley was the winning pitcher, allowing two hits and striking out seven in five innings. Abby McHugh pitched two innings, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out three.
"I'm amazed," Hartselle manager Kenneth Romager said. "The deeper we went, the better we played. The AUM game (a 4-1 loss Sunday) put a fire in the team I hadn't seen before. This is special; they'll be telling their grandkids about this."
Earlier that day, in a potential elimination game, Hartselle dropped AU Montgomery 12-2. On Sunday, AU Montgomery gave Hartselle a 4-1 loss to send the Belles to the losers' bracket, but the rematch belonged entirely to Hartselle.
Hartselle opened the game by batting through its lineup on the way to a six-run first inning. Lindsey Romager had a pair of doubles; Leah Robinson hit a double and single; Gray had a pair of singles and Golden, Bonner, McHugh, Gentle and Katelyn Hill each singled.
Riley picked up the win, working two hitless innings and striking out five. Gray pitched two innings and McHugh worked the last inning.
Hartselle eventually won the game by mercy rule, scoring three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to end it.
AU Montgomery 4, Hartselle 1
Auburn-Montgomery handed Hartselle its first tournament loss in a Sunday afternoon game.
Hartselle scored its only run in the seventh inning on a single and two AUM errors.
Hartselle 2, Dothan 0
Hartselle scored single runs in the third and fifth innings and went on to defeat Dothan in a morning game on Sunday. Hartselle collected five hits, all singles. They were credited to Gentle, Gray, Riley, Hamilton and Romager.
McHugh was the winning pitcher. She relieved Riley in the third with the game scoreless. McHugh pitched two innings, allowing no hits and striking out four batters.
Hartselle 14 , Scottsboro 0
Hartselle added a second victim to its string of wins by shutting out Scottsboro 14-0 in a Saturday morning game. They put four runs on the scoreboard in the first inning, added five runs in the third, four more in the fourth and scored a single run in the fifth.
Hartselle slugged six hits while benefiting from 12 walks and a hit batter. The hitters were Bonner with a double and single, Gentle with a pair of singles and Chelsea Bennich and Hamilton with a single each.
Gray pitched the first two innings and was credited with the win. She allowed no runs on one hit while striking out three batters. Bonner pitched two innings, allowing no hits and striking out one. Gentle pitched the final inning, allowing one hit and one strikeout.
Hartselle 9, Wilcox 0
Hartselle blanked Wilcox 9-0 in a first-round game Friday, scoring four runs in the first, three in the fourth and two in the sixth inning.
Golden had a couple of singles, Bonner had a double and Romager, Gentle, Robinson and McHugh each singled. Hartselle also benefited from six walks and four errors.
Riley was the winning pitcher. She worked the first two innings and had five strikeouts while not allowing a run, hit or walk.
McHugh pitched two innings. She allowed no runs and no hits and struck out four. Bonner worked two innings, allowing no runs on one hit while walking one and striking out four. Gentle finished up, pitching one inning, allowing no runs on one hit and striking out one.
Belles plan fundraiser for this Saturday
The Belles will sponsor a youth dance and fun party in a fundraiser on Saturday, July 21 from 7-11 p.m. at the Hartselle Fine Arts Center. All youth entering the sixth through 10th grade are urged to attend. D.J. Paul will emcee and admission is $10.