From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
By Ronald Hagood
GARDENDALE –The ladies of the diamond had a long day as they battled for softball supremacy in 6A Area 12. Gardendale hosted the teams in bracket play.
Game 1: Gardendale 16, Center Point 0.
The Gardendale Rockets made quick work of the Center Point Eagles on Wednesday morning, winning 16-0.
Preslie Ross pitched a three inning perfect game striking out five Center Point batters for the Rockets.
Gardendale scored 11 runs in the bottom of the 1st inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from Kylee Franklin.
The Eagles drop to the losers bracket, where they will have face Clay-Chalkville.
Game 2: Pinson Valley 16, Clay-Chalkville 7.
In a game that lasted a little over three hours, the Pinson Valley Indians outlasted Clay-Chalkville 16-7.
Gracie Graves lead the way for the Indians going 3-3 with four RBI’s.
The game was a back and forth game, with Pinson Valley leading 8-5 after the second inning.
Ka’Mya Hampton pitched 6 innings in relief for the Indians striking out 8 Clay-Chalkville batters and picking up the win.
Pinson Valley advances to face the host Gardendale Rockets later this afternoon. Clay-Chalkville plays Center Point with the loser being knocked out of the tournament.
Game 3: Clay-Chalkville 18, Center Point 1
Clay-Chalkville stayed alive in the area tournament, with a dominating 18-1 win. The Lady Cougars got off to a quick start, scoring 9 runs in the top of the 1st inning.
Rachel Smith pitched a complete game for Clay-Chalkville allowing only 1 run in four innings of work.
Center Point finishes the season 1-11, The Lady Cougars face the loser of the Pinson Valley/Gardendale game later today.
Game 4: Gardendale 17, Pinson Valley 0
The Gardendale Rockets advanced to the Area 12 Championship game with a 17-0 win over Pinson Valley on Wednesday afternoon.
The Rockets who earlier in the day scored 16 runs against Center Point, continued the hot swinging against the Indians.
An eight run outburst in the top of the 2nd inning, set the Rockets on their way to victory. Gardendale’s defense provided tons of support for Kaitlyn Clark, who only allowed three hits in four innings.
The win guarantees a spot in the North-Central regional for the Rockets next weekend in Tuscaloosa. Pinson Valley will need to defeat Clay-Chalkville for a second time today in order to advance to the Area championship game.
Game 5: Pinson Valley 20, Clay-Chalkville 9
This game was a game of ups and downs. Clay-Chalkville lead 9-5 after 3 innings. In the top of the fourth, the Lady Indians offense caught fire.
Pinson Valley sent 15 batters to the plate in the 4th, scoring 9 runs on on 8 hits.
The Lady Indians tacked on another 6 runs to make the score 20-9.
Shauna Clevenger was the leading hitter for Pinson Valley going 3-4 with 5 RBI’s.
With the win, the Lady Indians clinch a berth into the North-Central Regionals next week in Tuscaloosa.
Pinson Valley advance to the Championship game against Gardendale. The Lady Indians will need to defeat the top ranked Rockets twice to win the tournament.
Championship Game: Gardendale 10 Pinson Valley 0
The Pinson Valley Lady Indians made a run at the Area 12 Championship, fighting their way back from an early loss to host Gardendale. Unfortunately for the Lady Indians, the pitching from tournament MVP Kaitlyn Clark was just too much.
Clark, pitched both games against Pinson Valley today, and she was almost unhittable. In the two games, she allowed only three hits while striking out eight batters in nine innings.
For the Gardendale Rockets, the top of the line up set the tone in the championship game. Savannah Pennington and Carlee McCondichie went a combined 7 for 8, with 7 RBI’s and 5 runs scored.
Both teams will advance to the North-Central Regional next week in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Opponents will be determined later this week.