By Bobby Mathews, Sports Editor
TRUSSVILLE — One night after striking out 14 batters and tossing a no-hitter against Vestavia Hills, Sara Phillips threw a two-hitter and struck out 15 against arch-rival Spain Park, and Hewitt-Trussville advanced to the finals of the AHSAA 7A Area 6 tournament by beating the Jags 2-1.
That’s the same score by which the Huskies defeated the Jags back on April 20 to secure the regular-season area championship and the right to host the area tournament.
Of course, this time the circumstances were different. Tuesday’s win secures a spot in the regional playoffs for two-time defending 7A state champion Hewitt-Trussville.
The Huskies plated a pair of runs in the fifth inning after Rubie Simon singled and then Hannah Dorsett followed up with a single of her own. With two on and two outs, Kenleigh Cahalan ripped a double to left field, scoring both Simon and Dorsett.
Spain Park answered in the top of the seventh when Katherine Flannery connected with Phillips and sent a rocket over the center field fence to cut the lead to 2-1. But that was the last gasp for the Jags, as Dorsett tracked down a pop-up in foul territory to close out the win.
Dorsett went 2-for-3 on the night and hit by a pitch, while Cahalan was 1-for-2 with a pair of walks. Olivia Stults went 1-for-3. Simon was 1-for-2.
Phillips allowed two hit, one run, and no walks. She struck out 15 batters in the complete game victory.
Hewitt-Trussville will play at 6 p.m. on Wednesday against the winner of Spain-Park vs. Vestavia, which takes place at 4 p.m. to decide the area championship. If the Huskies win that game, they’ll take the 7A Area 6 title. If necessary, however, Hewitt-Trussville could again play at 8 p.m.