Staff Reports

CEDAR BLUFF – In her final home game, Cedar Bluff senior pitcher Jordyn Walker tossed a two-hit shutout with a walk and six strikeouts in five innings. She was also a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with a home run, a triple, four runs and six RBIs in leading the Cedar Bluff Lady Tigers to a 12-0 victory over Gaylesville in the Class 1A, Area 13 softball tournament championship on Thursday.

“She had a phenomenal night,” Cedar Bluff coach Garrett Crane said of Walker. “She was real emotional going into tonight with it being her last game played in Cedar Bluff. We couldn’t think of a better way for her to leave her legacy on our program with the way she performed tonight and every night.”

The win propels the Lady Tigers to the Class 1A North Central Regional in Albertville. Cedar Bluff will take on Area 10 runner-up Jacksonville Christian on Thursday at 9 a.m.

“We are blessed and excited to have the opportunity to continue postseason play at regionals,” Crane said. “It was a goal coming into the season to win area, advance back to regionals, and take a step further than last year. The girls are excited to have the opportunity and are playing dang good ball right now.”

Gaylesville, which defeated Valley Head 16-1 to reach the championship game, also advances to the Albertville regional. The Lady Trojans will take on Area 10 champion Ragland on Thursday, also at 9 a.m.

In Thursday’s area title game, Reece Patterson posted three hits, including a double, with two RBIs for Cedar Bluff. Natalie Baty blasted a homer, had a single, and drove in a run. Mattie Payne provided a pair of hits, a pair of runs and a RBI. Haley Allen also added two hits.

Harlie Nelson doubled and scored a run. Ciana Smith had a hit, a walk and scored two runs. Za’Niya Kyle finished with a hit.

Sierra Holbrook singled and walked for Gaylesville. Emma Givens also singled. Delaney Coker suffered the loss.