Hartselle reaps plenty of spring success

By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
This spring has been nothing short of spectacular for Hartselle High School athletics.
The baseball program is just two wins from claiming the school’s seventh state championship and first since the 2000 season.
The Tigers may have overcome their toughest competition when they beat Cullman last week in two straight games to reach the championship.
The rival Bearcats had won two straight state championships and had spent the entire season atop the Class 5A state rankings.
Briarwood Christian has played well this season and has one of the top pitchers in the state in Ben Bracewell. The Lions’ staff ace has posted a 14-0 record this season for Briarwood Christian.
The Lady Tigers’ softball team earned a second-straight trip to the Alabama High School’s state tournament at Lagoon Park in Montgomery.
Hartselle may have struggled a bit early in the year, but the Lady Tigers have gone unbeaten in post-season play and should be able to make a run at Class 5A powerhouse Mortimer Jordan this week.
Mortimer Jordan, the team that beat Hartselle for the state title last season, has been ranked No. 1 in the state all season long.
The girls’ tennis team reached the state tournament for the first time in school history and Shelley Scarbrough rolled to a second place finish in singles play.
But perhaps the biggest surprise may be the play of the girls’ golf team at the state tourney.
The Lady Tigers opened the tournament with a stellar first round to take the lead in the hunt for the state championship after the first day.
Still dominated by young players, the Lady Tigers jumped out to an early lead after the first day of play in Montgomery giving Hartselle fans lofty dreams of three state titles in one week.
The Lady Tigers finished last in the state team standings last year, but have continued to improve through the course of the season to become one of the state’s premier programs.
Now the goal is to bring home three state championship trophies.
Sports editor Todd Thompson can be reached at 773-6566 or at todd.thompson@hartselleenquirer.com