Tharptown captures area title
THARPTOWN — Sent to the losers’ bracket with a 9-1 loss to Hackleburg in the Class 1A, Area 13 Tournament, Tharptown regrouped and fought its way back to claim the area crown.
The Lady Wildcats disposed of Belgreen 12-0 to set up the rematch against the Lady Panthers. Tharptown entered the game needing two wins to clinch the area title and got both of them in dramatic fashion.
The Lady Wildcats jumped out to a 6-0 lead by the fifth inning, but Hackleburg rallied and pulled ahead 8-7. Tharptown’s Bailey Phillips delivered a two-run double in the bottom of the seventh to give the Lady Wildcats a 9-8 victory and force another game.
In the second game the teams were tied 3-3 in the third inning before Hackleburg pulled away. Tharptown rallied once again with Avery Rhea playing the hero with a two-run double to give the Lady Wildcats the area crown with a 12-11 win.
With the win Tharptown will advance to the North Regional Softball Tournament in Huntsville. The Lady Wildcats will play Waterloo Friday at 8 a.m.
Vina 7, Phillips 5
Chelsea Darracott, Hannah Baggett and Victoria Cochran hit two single each to lead Vina past Phillips in the opening game of the Class 1A, Area 13 Tournament.
Hashua Watson and Brandi White hit one single each for the Lady Red Devils.
Hackleburg 4, Belgreen 1
Kandis Parker had two singles while Ctysta Cantrell singled and scored a run as Hackleburg topped Belgreen. Ashley Davis, Katelyn Adams and Lorrie Hood scored one run each.
Brittany Simmons singled and scored a run for Belgreen while April Presley doubled.
Tharptown 12, Vina 0
The Lady Wildcats took control of the game early by scoring three runs in the first inning and eight runs in the second inning as Tharptown earned a 12-0 win against Vina.
Braeden Sellers and Chloe Lane both doubled for Tharptown while Erika Sparks, Kassy Baker, Savannah Hamilton, Cassie Fuller, Autumn Sutter, Haley Hatton and Shelby Palmer all singled.
Baggett and Watson both singled for Vina.