Staff Reports
SPRING GARDEN – After spotting Spring Garden a run in the first inning on a homer by Helena Ingram, Cedar Bluff scored five in the second, five more in the fourth and ended the game with a run in the fifth for an 11-1 victory in the Class 1A, Area 11 softball tournament winners bracket on Tuesday.
Coupled with their 13-0 victory in five innings over Jacksonville Christian earlier on Tuesday, the Lady Tigers clinched a spot in the area championship game and secured a berth in next week’s East Regional in Albertville.
Against Spring Garden, Reece Patterson allowed an earned run on two hits with no walks and five strikeouts to earn the win.
Mattie Payne led the Lady Tigers at the plate by going 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, a walk, a run and four RBIs. Natalie Baty doubled twice, walked, scored three runs and had a RBI. Ciana Smith also had a pair of hits with a run and two RBIs. Kylie Vadon was 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.
Patterson had a hit, walked three times and scored a run. Haley Allen added a hit and two runs. Za’Niya Kyle contributed a hit and scored twice. Rylie Walker collected a hit, a walk, a run and a RBI. Harlie Nelson walked and drove in a run
Avery Steward had the only other hit for Spring Garden. She also suffered the loss after working three innings, giving up four earned runs on six hits with five walks and three strikeouts. Lilly McCain tossed an inning and gave up three earned runs on six hits with two walks and a strikeout.
In Cedar Bluff’s win over Jacksonville Christian, Baty tossed a two-hitter with eight strikeouts. She was also 2-for-4 at the plate with a double, two runs and a RBI.
Payne posted three hits, including a triple, with a walk, three runs and a RBI. Patterson also provided three hits, including a double, with two runs and three RBIs. Allen and Nelson both doubled and scored a run. Allen also drove in three runs. Nelson walked and drove in two runs.
Spring Garden opened the tournament with an 18-0 victory in three innings against Faith Christian.
Tournament play continues on Thursday beginning at 4 p.m. at Spring Garden.