By Erik Harris
CLAY – Pinson Valley and Clay-Chalkville are set to begin the Class 6A, Area 12 double-elimination softball tournament next Tuesday.
The Cougars will serve as the host team despite tying Pinson Valley with a 6-1 regular season area record. A coin flip, which was won by Clay-Chalkville on Tuesday, broke the tie.
Coach Laurin Watts and the Indians controlled Area 12 until the final league contest. They dropped a 5-4 12-inning game at home to the Cougars on Saturday to knot both teams atop the area standings.
The score was even at 4-4 heading into the 12th when Clay-Chalkville sent the go-ahead run across. As the home team, Pinson Valley had another plate appearance, but was unable to produce.
They will have another opportunity on Tuesday at 4 p.m. when they start tournament play against Shades Valley in the No. 2-No. 3 seed game.
“Since losing to clay in 12 innings, the attitude of the team has changed,” said Watts. “They are working harder at practice, holding each other accountable and achieving our daily goal of getting 1 percent better everyday. I am confident that on Tuesday these girls will come out determined and ready to win”
Top-seed Clay-Chalkville will battle Huffman directly following. Game time is scheduled for 6 p.m. The losers of the first two contests will take the field for an elimination game, which is scheduled for 8 p.m.
All three Day 1 survivors will get back to play on Wednesday for a shot at the area crown. An if-necessary game would be played on Thursday for the title.
The tournament’s top two finishers will advance to the qualifying regionals at Sokol Park in Tuscaloosa starting on May 7.