Lady Golden Tigers rally in seventh but fall to Muscle Shoals 2-1 in area tourney opener
By Staff
Scot Beard
MUSCLE SHOALS – The Russellville varsity girls softball team had to wait nearly a week to start its area tournament game against Muscle Shoals, but gave fans a thrilling game with the outcome in doubt until the final out.
The tournament was delayed last week when the Alabama High School Athletic Association postponed all sporting events due to the threat of swine flu.
The Lady Golden Tigers lost the game 2-1 to fall to the losers' bracket, but had the opportunity to tie the game or take the lead in the final inning.
"I thought the girls played hard," said Russellville coach Ted Ikerd. "If they give it their all and play hard, I can't ask for anything more."
Russellville kept the sixth-ranked Lady Trojans off the scoreboard until the third inning when the leadoff hitter singled, moved to second on a sacrifice and scored on a double by the cleanup hitter.
The Russellville offense was retired in order in the fourth inning and the first two batters of the fifth grounded out before Ariel Howard drew a walk. Howard was unable to advance and the following batter lined out to end the inning.
The Lady Trojans added to their lead in the sixth when the second batter of the inning tripled. The next batter hit a sacrifice grounder to second, allowing the runner to score.
Down to three outs, Russellville rallied in the seventh. Dana Pruett singled to center field and moved to third on a bloop single to right by Sydney McDuffa.
Breanna Malone then reached on a fielder's choice as Pruett was caught in a run down on the play, but was able to get safely back to third to load the bases for the Lady Golden Tigers.
Howard then reached base on an error, allowing Pruett to score with no outs in the inning.
Katelyn Keelon reached on a fielder's choice as Muscle Shoals elected for the force at home. Samantha Lawson also reached on a fielder's choice when the Lady Trojans again threw home for the force out.
With the bases still loaded, Heather Cole grounded out to end the threat and Muscle Shoals walked off the field with its third one-run victory of the season against Russellville.
Malone, Pruett and McDuffa had the only hits for Russellville while Howard and Halie Harvey each drew a walk for the Lady Golden Tigers.
Malone took the loss on the mound, pitching six innings and allowing four hits. She walked two Muscle Shoals batters.
With the loss, Russellville fell to the losers' bracket. The Lady Golden Tigers played the loser of the No.-3 ranked Hartselle vs. Athens game.
The losers' bracket game was played last night, but concluded too late to be included in today's edition of The Franklin County Times.
If Russellville won that game, it will play today at 2 p.m. in the losers' bracket finals for a spot in this weekend's Region Tournament in Huntsville.
