Weather takes toll on season

By Staff
Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
Weather has been tough on spring sports teams, forcing postponements and even cancellations of several key games.
And that means fans are denied the opportunity to see some pretty great matchups.
Danville’s baseball team, off to a 24-4 start to the season, was scheduled to play Class 4A powerhouse Lawrence County last week, but the game was cancelled after several days of heavy rain.
Danville head coach Brian Ellis had hoped to use the game with the No. 10 Red Devils as an indicator for the Hawks, who are closing in on an area championship this week.
Rain also shortened the Huntsville Hospital/Bob Jones Invitational last week, a tournament expected to draw more than 60 teams from around the Southeast.
Unfortunately, Hartselle never got to take advantage of the tournament’s talented field. Rains limited the Lady Tigers to just three games in the event’s revamped format.
Rain also hit Falkville’s track program recently. The Blue Devils were scheduled to compete in the Patriot Games’ meet at Bob Jones High School last weekend in Madison, but decided to pull out after meet officials decided to continue the meet in the rain Friday afternoon.
With just two weeks until the sectionals, the Falkville coaching staff didn’t want to risk an injury in the wet conditions..
Several area teams are holding onto spots in the state polls as the spring sports enter their final month of play.
Hartselle’s baseball team is currently ranked No. 5 in Class 5A.Cullman was ranked seventh overall.
Class 3A Danville was also ranked fifth in last week’s prep poll released by the Alabama Sports Writers’ Association.
Danville’s softball team is ranked fourth in Class 3A and has been playing some pretty good ball in recent weeks. With a solid run over the next several weeks, the Lady Hawks could be on track for a return to the state tournament at Lagoon Park in Montgomery in May.
In Class 5A, Hartselle continues to hover at the top of the state softball poll. Shane Alexander’s Lady Tigers were third in the latest poll released last week.
Brewer’s boys’ soccer team will take its No. 9 ranking into this week’s Morgan County Tournament.
Sports editor Todd Thompson can be reached at 773-6566 or by email at todd.thompson@hartselleenquirer.com