Staff Reports

OXFORD – Piedmont scored a run in the top of the fourth inning to tie top-ranked St. James in the Class 3A state softball tournament at Oxford’s Choccolocco Park on Thursday, but the Lady Trojans battled back with a run in the bottom of the fourth and held on for a 2-1 victory.

Cacey Brothers led the Lady Bulldogs at the plate by going 2-for-3 with a double. Carson Young contributed a hit and a RBI. Savannah Smith added a hit and scored Piedmont’s lone run. Cadence Buttram and Jaycee Glover both finished with a hit.

Smith suffered the loss after working six innings. She gave up an earned run on four hits with no walks and four strikeouts.

The loss sends the fifth-ranked Lady Bulldogs to the losers bracket, where they will face Excel – a 10-0 loser to Winfield – at 2:30 p.m.