Local girls help Dixie Debs clinch world series

Allie Hill, Leah Stephenson and Meaghan Gray, from left, hold championship trophies following the Dixie Debs World Series.

Three Hartselle softball players – Meaghan Gray, Leah Stephenson and Allie Hill – shared a lofty achievement in their sport last week as members of the 2011 Dixie Softball League World Series championship team, the Decatur Dixie Debs.

Competing against 10 other state champions and host Alexandria, La., the 16-18 Decatur team claimed its title by defeating Alexandria 7-4 on August 3. To reach the title game it had to fight back from a second round loss to Alexandria, 1-2, and was fortunate to receive a bye after handing Virginia its first loss on Aug. 2. Earlier wins came against Arkansas, 19-3; Georgia, 18-2; and Mississippi, 12-3.

Gray, a sophomore member of the UNA Lady Lions, was credited with the championship game win, her third in the series. She allowed one run on three hits while striking out five in four innings of work. She also singled, homered, had three RBIs and scored twice.

The World Series trip was Gray’s fourth in 13 years of Dixie Youth Softball.

Stephenson and Hill are members of Hartselle High School’s softball team.

Stephenson pulled off a difficult defensive play to end the final game. With runners on first and third, she made a diving catch of a fly ball in shallow right field and completed a double play by making a quick throw to first base.

Hill was one of the team’s two catchers and also played third base.