Belgreen softball girls win area tourney

The Belgreen Bulldogs had a pair of easy wins and an extra inning thriller to win the Class 1A Area 14 tournament and advance to the regionals.

Belgreen beat Phillips 10-0 to open the tournament, beat Hackleburg 6-4 in extra innings to stay in the winners’ bracket and trounced Hackleburg to win the tournament 11-0.

“We had some great practices,” said Belgreen Coach Susie Tverberg, whose Bulldogs are 21-17 this season. “We focused on the little things we struggled with in the extra–inning game with Hackleburg. I challenged the girls to be more disciplined in the box and see more pitches.

“We struggle hitting when we are behind in the count. I told them today was about playing for more than themselves.”

Belgreen will play Lynn Wednesday at 1:45 p.m. at the Florence Sportsplex. All tickets must be purchased on GoFan.

Win or lose, Belgreen will play again at 6 p.m.

After squeezing by Hackleburg in an earlier game, Belgreen breezed by the Panthers in the final game 11-0.  Emma Dempsey, who had an exceptional tournament from the circle and at the plate, pitched a complete game shutout, allowed two hits and striking out nine batters. She also had a triple and scored twice.

Kelsey Wilson got three hits, two of which were doubles, and two RBIs. Noelle Willingham had three RBIs.

In the extra–inning game with Hackleburg, Dempsey pitched all nine innings, giving up one earned run and striking out 15.

Belgreen broke a 4-4 tie in the top of the ninth when Willingham scored on a sacrifice fly. The Bulldogs added an insurance run when Lily Blackburn doubled in Dempsey.

Blackburn had two doubles and an RBI and scored twice. Madison Vandiver had two RBIs.

In the opening game of the tournament, Belgreen routed Phillips 10-0. Dempsey pitched a perfect game, allowing no hits or walks. She also had two triples and scored a run.

Willingham went two-for-three with a double and four RBIs and scored two runs. Morgan Vandiver had two triples and three RBIs.