Tharptown topples Red Bay to win county tourney
RED BAY – In a weekend defined by grit and late-inning heroics, the Tharptown Wildcats weathered a resilient Red Bay comeback to capture the Franklin County softball tournament championship.
The Wildcats went 4-1 over the two-day stretch, ultimately defeating the host Tigers twice to secure the title.
The Wildcats’ road to the trophy began Friday with a narrow 5-4 victory over Phil Campbell. Tharptown jumped out to a commanding 4-0 lead by the middle of the third, fueled by Paisleigh Carr, who finished the opener with a single, double, and two RBIs.
However, the Bobcats roared back with a fourrun surge in the bottom of the third to knot the score. Undeterred, Tharptown manufactured the winning run in the fourth to survive the scare.
In the Friday nightcap, the Wildcats leaned on elite pitching to edge out Belgreen 2-1. Alyssa Fischer provided the offensive spark with a clutch two-RBI single in the third.
CONTRIBUTED/BART MOSS
Members of the 2026 All County Tournament Team included Lexi Little, Alyssa Fischer and Allie Gann from Tharptown; and Charley Lindley and Raigan Henson from Red Bay. All Tournament MVP was Cadence Kennedy from Tharptown.
That was all the support Cadence Kennedy needed. Kennedy stifled the Bulldogs, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out five in a complete-game effort.
Members of the county tournament runner-up Red Bay Tigers were, back row from left: Makagan Rhodes, Charley Lindley, Lilly Lesley, Mikayela Jackson, Emma Blackburn and Bella Blackburn; and front row from left: Raigan Henson, Olivia Miller, Hadley Griffin, McKenna Young, Kyla Blackburn, Abbi Green, Cadence Cheatham and Ella McKim.
Red Bay’s path to the finals was a marathon of endurance. After an opening 5-3 win over Vina — highlighted by Kyla Blackburn’s tie-breaking two-RBI single — the Tigers dropped their first Saturday meeting with Tharptown, 4-0.
Fischer dominated for the Wildcats in that contest, tossing a three-hit shutout.
Refusing to go quietly on their home turf, Red Bay fought through the loser’s bracket:
• Defeated Belgreen 7-2: Blackburn drove in two runs during a massive five-run second inning. Charley Lindley earned the win, surrendering no earned runs over five innings.
• Defeated Tharptown 4-2: In the first leg of the championship series, the Tigers handed the Wildcats their only loss of the tournament, forcing a winnertakeall finale.
Members of the 2026 Franklin County Champion Tharptown Wildcats were back row from left Brynlee Hallmark, Ashlynn Abbott, Haylie Goforth, Jayden Partain, Paisleigh Carr, Makenna Murray, Kenzie Downard, Allie Gann, Emoree Murray, Sophie Waldrep, Bella Carr and Cadence Kennedy; and front row from left, Natalie Franks Mitchell, Lexi Little, Alyssa Fischer and Gabi Johnson.
• Lost to Tharptown 4-1: With the doubleelimination format pushed to its limit, Tharptown regained its composure in the final game to win 4-1. Allie Gann led the charge at the plate, going 2-for 3 with a double and two RBIs. Lexi Little added a multi-hit performance and an RBI to ensure the Wildcats’ victory.
Tournament honors
Tharptown’s Cadence Kennedy was named the tournament MVP for her dual-threat performance. Kennedy tallied three hits and three runs at the plate while striking out 10 batters over 10 innings of work in the circle.
All-tournament team: Tharptown — Lexi Little, Alyssa Fischer, Allie Gann Red Bay — Charley Lindley, Raigan Henson
Belgreen — Kendra Williams
Phil Campbell — Chaley Bullington
Vina — Braxtyn Quinn
