Staff Reports
JACKSONVILLE – Spring Garden clinched a spot in the East Softball Regional at Albertville’s Sand Mountain Park by earning runner-up to Jacksonville Christian in the Class 1A, Area 12 tournament Tuesday at Henry Farm Park in Jacksonville.
The Lady Panthers (12-21) dropped their first game of the day to Jacksonville Christian 8-2, rebounded to eliminate Gaylesville 16-0 in four innings, and fell again to JCA in the area championship game 15-3.
In the first game against Jacksonville Christian, Maya Jennings led the Lady Panthers at the plate by going 2-for-3 with a triple and a RBI. Addie Word added a hit, a run, and a RBI. Kylie Bates also had a hit and a run. Olivia Messer and Paisley Woodall both finished with a hit.
Kendall Birchfield suffered the loss. She tossed six innings and gave up five earned runs on eight hits with five walks and five strikeouts.
In the win over Gaylesville, Spring Garden scored eight runs in the top of the first inning to take control early.
Word went a perfect 4-for-4 from the plate with a double, three runs, and three RBIs. Hayden Parris was 2-for-4 with a triple, two runs, and a RBI. Woodall also went 2-for-4 with two runs and a RBI. Jennings was 2-for-3 with a walk, a run, and a RBI.
Ellie Miller doubled, scored two runs, and had two RBIs. Brylei Hall had a double, two runs, and a RBI. Lleyton Carroll contributed a hit, two walks, and three runs. Ava Boatner had a hit, a run, and a RBI. Birchfield finished with a hit and two RBIs.
Messer earned the win in the circle.
Kya Green, Makenlee Young, Bayleigh Ratliff, and Briley Mitchell each had a hit for Gaylesville. Young and Ellie Colbert walked. Lydia Reynolds suffered the loss.
In the area championship loss to Jacksonville Christian, Word went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Carroll doubled and scored a run.
Bates had a hit and a RBI. Woodall had a hit and a walk. Birchfield and Hall both scored a run.
Birchfield suffered the loss.
Both Spring Garden and Jacksonville Christian play Tuesday, May 12 in the East Regional at Sand Mountain Park in Albertville.
