By Erik Harris, sports editor
The Springville softball team continues to surge higher in the Class 6A rankings, while Class 7A No. 1 Hewitt-Trussville improves to 3-1 in Area 6 play.
See game recaps below.
Springville 16, Pell City 4
April has been a good month for the Springville softball team. The Tigers have been victorious in their last seven outings, including a 16-4 thumping of area foe Pell City on Tuesday.
Following the win, Springville jumped three spots up to No. 4 in the Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) rankings — the team’s highest ranking of the year.
On Tuesday, Springville (24-8, 4-0) started strong with a pair of runs in the first and finished even stronger with a nine-run fifth that ended things early over Pell City. The visitors scattered 14 hits on the Panthers and scored in four of the five innings played on Tuesday.
Third baseman Makalyn Kyser logged an impressive outing with three hits, including a double, two RBIs and three runs scored for the Tigers. Reagan Cornelius pitched in with two hits and three RBIs of her own. Layla Bradshaw, Mckenzie Brown and Graci Black also worked multi-hit evenings.
Springville opened the week with a 2-0 win over Class 7A Vestavia Hills. The Tigers are now 4-0 in Class 6A, Area 13 play with two-game sweeps over both Pell City and Oxford.
Mortimer Jordan 10, Pinson Valley 1
Mortimer Jordan notched a 10-1 area win over Pinson Valley on Tuesday. The Blue Devils struck for five runs in the first two innings to claim all momentum.
The first three in Mortimer Jordan’s order – Kenley Holcombe, Reagan Wilson and Lexi Graves – combined for seven hits and three RBIs to lead the charge.
Hewitt-Trussville 9, Oak Mountain 0
Hewitt-Trussville rode three home runs to a 9-0 area win over Oak Mountain on Tuesday. The win improves the top-ranked Huskies to 32-2-1 overall and 3-1 in Class 7A, Area 6 play.
See this week’s updated softball poll below.
CLASS 7A
1. Hewitt-Trussville (32-2-1)
2. Fairhope (24-2)
3. Spain Park (24-5-1)
4. Bob Jones (24-3)
5. Thompson (30-5)
6. Austin (27-7)
7. Vestavia Hills (19-11)
8. Auburn (22-6)
9. Central-Phenix City (22-5)
10. Sparkman (17-4)
Others nominated: Albertville (16-10), Alma Bryant (13-6), Baker (10-17), Daphne (15-15), Dothan (28-7), Hoover (20-11), Oak Mountain (17-11), Theodore (24-8), Tuscaloosa County (20-15).
CLASS 6A
1. Athens (29-7)
2. Helena (29-7)
3. Spanish Fort (26-4)
4. Springville (24-8)
5. Buckhorn (24-12)
6. Hazel Green (23-12)
7. Pell City (22-4-2)
8. Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa (29-7)
9. Mortimer Jordan (11-13-1)
10. Baldwin County (10-5)
Others nominated: Chelsea (19-11), Chilton County (22-12), Cullman (17-9), Fort Payne (20-7), Hartselle (21-14), Muscle Shoals (20-2), Saraland (18-10), Scottsboro (15-10-1), Wetumpka (22-10).
CLASS 5A
1. Faith Academy (16-2-1)
2. Tallassee (18-8-2)
3. Brewbaker Tech (22-5)
4. Elmore County (24-8)
5. Hayden (25-5-1)
6. Ardmore (19-13)
7. Satsuma (22-6)
8. Corner (19-8)
9. Alexandria (21-9)
10. West Point (15-14-2)
Others nominated: Andalusia (17-11-1), East Limestone (15-10-1), John Carroll (19-8), Lawrence County (21-15), Lincoln (19-18), Rehobeth (15-14).
CLASS 4A
1. Rogers (27-5)
2. Curry (33-7)
3. Cleburne County (21-9)
4. Northside (28-7)
5. Madison County (26-8)
6. North Jackson (21-13-1)
7. LAMP (19-7)
8. Dale County (17-15)
9. Etowah (24-7)
10. St. James (16-6)
Others nominated: Alabama Christian (12-15), American Christian (14-11), Cherokee County (13-9), Gordo (22-14-1), Madison Academy (14-2), Priceville (17-10-1), West Morgan (13-20), Wilson (18-12).
CLASS 3A
1. Prattville Christian (19-6)
2. Plainview (25-4-1)
3. Houston Academy (24-4)
4. Pleasant Valley (23-12)
5. Mobile Christian (19-6)
6. Wicksburg (25-13)
7. Opp (26-9-1)
8. Oakman (13-8)
9. Winfield (23-11-1)
10. Danville (16-13)
Others nominated: Beulah (17-11), Childersburg (15-7), Collinsville (10-10-1), Elkmont (12-9-1), Geraldine (12-8-1), Ohatchee (18-11-1).
CLASS 2A
1. Pisgah (18-5)
2. Sumiton Christian (19-9)
3. G.W. Long (16-2)
4. Hatton (19-13)
5. Mars Hill Bible (24-11)
6. Leroy (30-4)
7. Orange Beach (21-7)
8. Spring Garden (16-5)
9. Sand Rock (16-13-1)
10. Red Bay (17-9)
Others nominated: Falkville (12-14), Locust Fork (11-4), Vincent (17-6), West End (7-4).
CLASS 1A
1. Brantley (17-6)
2. Skyline (16-7)
3. Kinston (13-10)
4. South Lamar (17-10)
5. Holy Spirit (7-10)
6. Appalachian (10-3)
7. Belgreen (13-14)
8. Sweet Water (15-15)
9. Athens Bible (10-8)
10. Waterloo (10-16)
Others nominated: Berry (13-13), Cherokee (19-6), Millry (16-9), Woodland (14-15-2).
AISA
1. Pike Liberal Arts (22-7)
2. Macon East (36-14)
3. Clarke Prep (26-5)
4. Bessemer Academy (20-5)
5. Glenwood (24-13-1)
6. Hooper Academy (24-12)
7. Edgewood (20-14)
8. Southern Academy (22-4)
9. Lakeside (14-15)
10. Abbeville Christian (15-11)
Others nominated: None.