Lady Bulldogs falter against Lynn, Athens Bible School

An Athens Bible School player slides home in front of Belgreen’s Amber Smith. | Scot Beard/FCT

HUNTSVILLE — The Belgreen softball team began the North Region Tournament with an impressive 4-2 win against Waterloo, but the magic soon ran out as the Lady Bulldogs lost to Lynn and Athens Bible School.

The slide began with a tough 18-0 loss to Lynn in which the Lady Bulldogs surrendered 16 runs in the first inning.

Belgreen opened play Saturday against an Athens Bible School team the Lady Bulldogs eliminated last year.

The Lady Bulldogs started off strong as Bridgett Thompson led off the game with a single and advanced to second on a stolen base before moving to third on a sacrifice by Amber Smith. She was stranded before she could score.

Loren McVicker walked the second batter she faced before settling in and retiring six consecutive batters.

Athens Bible ended that streak when McVicker issued a walk in the third inning. That runner eventually came around to score to give the Lady Trojans a 1-0 lead.

Belgreen tied the game in the fifth when Jessica Welton singled, moved to second on a pass ball and scored on a hit by Brittany Greenhill.

Athens Bible reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the inning as McVicker walked the first two batters she faced. Both runners scored to give the Lady Trojans a 3-1 lead.

Belgreen responded with a run in the top of the sixth inning when Amber Smith reached on an error and advanced to second on a pass ball. She later scored on a hit by McVicker.

Athens Bible added an insurance run in the bottom of the inning to secure the win.

Thompson led the Lady Bulldogs with a pair of singles while Smith doubled. McVicker, Welton and Greenhill hit one single each.

McVicker took the loss on the mound, striking out eight Athens Bible School batters. She struck out the side in both the second and fourth innings.