From The Tribune staff reports
IRONDALE — Shades Valley’s softball team secured its second straight 6A Area 11 regular-season title on Tuesday, April 12, meaning that the Mounties will host the area tournament, whipping Huffman 16-0.
It’s been a bit of a rebuilding year for Shades Valley, as the team is now 6-14 on the season. But the wins have come at the right time for the Mounties. Tuesday against Huffman, Shades Valley scored 16 runs in the first inning to run-rule the Vikings and clinch the title.
The first two batters for Shades Valley — Jenna Paxton and Haylee Knight — were bot hit by a pitch, and then both scored when Alyssa Butts doubled. Kennedy Allen then reached on Huffman error, taking advantage and moving to second while Butts also scored on the error.
Mayah Tarver tripled to left field to score Allen, and Ariana Rice walked. At this point, there were still no outs in the bottom of the first. With runners on the corners, Bethany Moran walked to load the bases. Tailyn Louis then doubled and advanced on a throwing error from the Huffman left fielder, while Tarver, Rice and Moran all scored on the error.
That made it 7-0.
From there, Trinity Collier walked. Louis then scored on a wild pitch, which also allowed Collier to advance to second. Collier then scored when Paxton hit a grounder to third and reached on an error. Knight came up to bat again, doubling to center and scoring Paxton. Butts singled to center and scored Knight. At this point, it was 11-o Shades Valley.
From there, Butts stole second. Allen was thrown out at first on a dropped third strike for the first Mounties out of the game. Tarver singled to score Butts.
Rice then singled to score Tarver, and Moran reached on an error to reach base while Rice was safe at second base. Louis singled to center, then advanced to second on the throw. Rice scored and Moran was held up at third. Collier reached on a dropped third strike to load the bases. Moran scored again when Paxton grounded out to the pitcher, and then Knight — on her third at-bat of the inning at this point — singled to score Louis to make it 16-0.
Louis got the win in the circle, allowing one hit and two walks, striking out four.
The Mounties host Fultondale on Thursday, April 14, at 5 p.m. before a scheduled doubleheader at Clay-Chalkville on April 21.