Lady Tigers win four in tourney
By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle’s Lady Tigers improved their record to 5-6 after defeating four of the five opponents they faced in the Spain Park High School Softball Tournament last weekend.
They came out on top in games against Chelsea, Pisgah, Thompson and Mountain Brook before falling to Sumiton Christian Academy. Their performance enabled them to finish among the top eight teams in a 24-team tournament.
Hartselle 3, Chelsea 0
Hartselle blanked Chelsea 3-0 in an opening game in pool play Friday night.
Olivia Golden put the Lady Tigers in front with a leadoff home run in the first inning. Leah Robinson had a double and Katie Gentle and Ashley Bonner each singled.
Meaghan Gray was the winning pitcher. She allowed no runs on four hits while striking out two and giving up two walks.
Hartselle 5, Pisgah 0
Hartselle shut out Pisgah 5-0 on the strength of eight hits and no-hit pitching in their final pool play game Friday night. Bonner led the way with a triple and a pair of singles. Breanna Riley had a triple and double, Gentle doubled and Brittney Kerr and Alex Paulsen each singled.
Riley got the win by allowing no runs on no hits while striking out 11 and walking one.
Hartselle 1, Thompson 0
Hartselle defeated Thomson 1-0 on a run-scoring error in the second inning with the based loaded in their first tournament game on Saturday. Paulsen had a pair of singles to lead the Lady Tigers at the plate. Golden, Gentle and Jackie Shadden each singled.
Riley was the winning pitcher. She allowed no runs on two hits while striking out seven and walking two.
Hartselle 5, Mountain Brook 1
The Lady Tigers collected eight hits and got solid pitching from Gray as they defeated Mountain Brook, 5-1 in their second game on Saturday.
Golden led Hartselle batters with a double and single, Chelsea Bennich and Gentle each doubled and Shelby Hoff, Kelsey Starr, Meghan Stephenson and Robinson each doubled.
Gray was the winning pitcher. She allowed an unearned run while giving up two hits, striking out four and walking two.
Sumiton Christian 7, Hartselle 1
Sumiton Christian defeated Hartselle 7-1 in an elimination game after scoring the go-ahead run in the top of the fifth inning on a wild pitch. Hartselle led 1-0 after the bottom of the fourth.
Hartselle had five hits in the contest. Riley had a double and single, and Hoff, Gentle, and Bonner each singled.
Riley was the losing pitcher. She allowed five runs on four hits, struck out 10 and walked two.
Gray relieved Riley after she was ejected from the game in the fifth inning on a disputed play at home plate. She allowed two runs on two hits while walking two and striking out one.
The Lady Tigers will compete in the Orange and Black Tournament in Hoover Friday and Saturday and play in the Gulf Shores Classic Monday through Wednesday next week.
