Lady Golden Tigers take second in area to advance to regionals
The Russellville Lady Golden Tigers traveled to West Point for the AHSAA Class 5A Area 15 softball tournament, and they came away with a runner-up finish to advance to the North Regional.
To open the tournament May 3, RHS got a huge performance at the plate from Jaiden Calvert and outstanding pitching from Jacey Moore to defeat the Lawrence County Lady Red Devils 5-3.
Calvert had two home runs during the contest, including a grand slam, to help lead head coach Josh Graham’s RHS team to victory.
Jenna Whitfield had the other Russellville hit with a single.
Moore pitched a complete game in the circle for the win. She threw 110 pitches over seven innings, allowing no walks and eight hits. She struck out four Lady Devils.
Later that evening, Russellville fell to host West Point by a 4-1 score in the winners’ bracket.
RHS got hits from Summer Butler, Kailee Simpson, Maddy Green and Natalie Nichols. Simpson had a double with the bat, scored the run and did the pitching. Emma Campbell and Butler drew walks, and Butler also stole a base.
The Lady Golden Tigers needed a victory over Lawrence County May 6 to keep their season alive. RHS dominated the Lady Devils this time and took an 11-1 win to end LCHS’ season.
Moore bested Lawrence County for the second straight time, pitching all five innings. She allowed four hits and issued no walks while throwing 71 pitches.
Simpson had a hit and three RBIs, and Fallin Cox added a hit and two RBIs. Butler had two hits for Russellville, while Whitfield, Nichols and Moore also hit safely.
Runs for RHS were scored by Butler, Whitfield and Nichols, with two each, and Ashlee Moon, Calvert, Simpson, Cox and Moore with one apiece.
West Point (23-18-2) was the opponent in the finals, with Russellville needing two wins over the Lady Warriors to take home the area title. WPHS claimed the top spot with a 14-2 win.
Russellville pitcher Simpson had the only hit off of West Point’s Carlie Wilkins on a double. Emma Hubbert, Butler and Whitfield of RHS reached base via walks.
Russellville (19-32) is scheduled to open play in the Class 5A North Regional with a May 12 matchup against Ardmore (28-15) at the Florence Sportsplex.
