Lady Tigers go 6-1 in tourney
Hartselle High School’s Lady Tigers (14-2) racked up wins against six opponents before they ran into the Cherokee Lady Indians and got eliminated by a score of 4-0 in the second round of a single-elimination tournament in the Gulf Coach Softball Classic.
The No. 5 Lady Tigers entered the tournament seeded third after winning five straight games over two days in pool play games.
They eliminated Prattville 6-2 in the opening round of the tournament on the strength of hitting and base running.
Olivia Golden led the way with a pair of singles, an RBI, two stolen bases and scored a run. While she didn’t get a hit, Leah Robinson was walked twice and hit by a pitch. She also stole two bases and scored a run.
Katie Gentle had as single, scored a run and stole a base; Jacquie Shadden and Bailee Holt each singled, had an RBI and scored a run; Kayla Faulk singled, had an RBI and scored a run and Chelsea Bennich and Lindsey Romager each singled and scored a run.
Kayla Faulk pitched six innings and was credited with the win. She allowed two runs on seven hits and walked one batter.
In the elimination game, Hartselle managed only two hits. Shadden had a pair of singles and was the only batter to reach base.
Abby McHugh started and pitched two and one-third inning and was tagged with the loss. She allowed three runs on one hit and walked one batter. Two of the three runs scored on an error.
Breanna Riley pitched two and two-thirds innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out four batters
“They had a good pitcher and we just didn’t execute at the plate.” said head coach Daniel Bates. “You can’t win the game when you don’t hit the ball and score runs.
“I tell my players there are three things you have to do to win games: play good defense, get good pitching and get timely hits. We have room for improvement in all three areas.”
HHS 7, Bibb Co. 2
Hartselle defeated Bibb County 7-2 in a fifth and final pool play game on March 15.
Jackie Shadden collected two hits and knocked in two runs to lead the Lady Tigers at the plate. Ashley Bonner, Chelsea Bennich, Emily Nix and Lindsey Romager each singled.
Breanna Riley pitched five innings and was credited with the win. She allowed two runs on two hits while striking out 11 batters.
HHS 11, Pleasant Valley 0
The Lady Tigers coasted to an 11-0 win over Pleasant Valley in their first game of a second day of pool play in the Gulf Coast Softball Classic.
Bonner led the way with a homer and a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Allie Hill had a pair of hits, three RBIs and two runs scored and Bennich launched a pair of singles and scored two runs.
Abby McHugh was the winning pitcher, allowing no runs on two hits while striking out 10 batters.