HHS off to fast start in tourney
Hartselle’s Lady Tigers got off to a fast start in the Gulf Coast Softball Classic on Monday by easily defeating the first three teams they faced in pool play.
The Lady Tigers trounced Friendship Christian of Tennessee 9-1 in an early morning game, as eight members of the team collected hits.
Ashley Bonner blasted a triple, double and single to lead her team at the plate. She had three RBIs and scored two runs. Olivia Golden swatted two hits, scored three runs and stole four bases. Katie Gentle had an RBI double while Megan Stephenson doubled and scored a run. Leah Robinson singled and scored two runs; Allie Hill singled and scored a run; and Kayla Faulk ad Jacquie Shadden each singled.
Abby McHugh pitched all six innings and received credit for a win. She allowed one run on three hits while striking out eight batters and walking two.
In the second game, Hartselle overpowered American Christian of Dothan 12-0 in a four-inning game.
Breanna Riley put the game on her shoulders both offensively and defensively. She knocked in four runs with a double and home run and pitched a perfect game, allowing no hits, no runs, no walks and striking out seven batters.
Other Lady Tiger hitters were Shadden with a double, single, an RBI and a run scored; Emily Nix with a single and 2 RBIs; Bonner with a single and two runs scored; and Stephenson with a single and one run scored.
In an evening game, the Lady Tigers continued their hot pace by shutting out Jemison 12-0 in three innings, scoring four runs in the first and eight in the second.
Bonner paced a nine-hit attack with a double, single, three RBIs and two runs scored. Golden sparked the win with a pair of singles, two runs scored and two stolen bases. Bailey Holt had a double, 2 RBIs and scored two runs; Gentle doubled, had an RBI, scored a run and stole a base; Robinson singled, had 3RBIs and scored two runs; Shadden singled, had an RBI and scored a run; and Hill singled, had an RBI and scored a run.
Kayla Faulk was the winning pitcher. She allowed one hit and struck out three batters.
The Lady Tigers were slated to play Pleasant Valley and Bibb County in pool games Tuesday afternoon, and compete in a single elimination tournament involving 40 teams on Wednesday.
