Lady Cubs stay alive
- Updated: May 16, 2018
Alexandria blanked in 5A state tournament opener, but bounces back to beat Faith Academy, Ardmore to reach second day
By East Alabama Sports Today
MONTGOMERY – Alexandria went into the Class 5A state softball tournament with high hopes and all those hopes remain alive after the Lady Cubs won a pair of elimination round games Wednesday at Lagoon Park.
The Lady Cubs had a tough opening-round draw and lost their first game of the day to Springville 3-0. But they bounced back to knock out Faith Academy 6-4 and then rallied and held on to eliminate Ardmore 7-6.
They will play Springville (44-8-1) Thursday at 10:45 a.m.
The Lady Cubs (42-10) were checked on three hits by Springville’s Abby Swaney in the opener. The Tigers got a solo homer from Makaylyn Kyser and a two-run homer from Kaylee Chapman for their runs.
Maggie Phillips allowed only three other hits from the circle and struck out 10 for Alexandria.
The Lady Cubs mounted a strong threat in the fifth down 3-0. They loaded the bases with none out, but Swaney got out of the jam. Swaney threw a one-hitter at Alexandria earlier in the season.
Alexandria jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the Faith Academy game. Mattie Wade got it started with a two-run double, an error brought home the third run and Phillips singled home another.
The Rams tied it at 4 with a pair of homers in the fifth, but Maggie Phillips put the Lady Cubs back on top for good with a two-run homer in the sixth, then closed them out from the circle in the seventh.
Phillips went 2-for-4 with three RBIs, while Wade went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Lanie Dreyer went 2-for-4.
The Lady Cubs fell behind Ardmore 3-0 in the third inning, but Ashley Phillips had an RBI single and Millie Burt hit a two-run double in the bottom of the inning to tie the game.
They took a 7-3 lead in the fifth on back-to-back two-run doubles by Emmah Rolfe and Leighton Sparks. Sparks went 4-for-4 in the game and Rolfe went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Ardmore loaded the bases with none out in the seventh and drew within 7-6, but Rolfe got a strikeout for the final out.
Pleasant Valley opens the Class 3A state tournament Thursday against Plainview at 10:45 a.m.
CLASS 5A STATE TOURNAMENT
Wednesday’s games
Rehobeth 11, Jemison 1
Ardmore 13, Mortimer Jordan 3
Moody 4, Faith Academy 3
Springville 3, Alexandria 0
Winner’s bracket
Rehobeth 2, Ardmore 0
Moody 5, Springville 3
Loser’s bracket
Mortimer Jordan 13, Jemison 3 (Jemison eliminated)
Alexandria 6, Faith Academy 4 (Faith eliminated)
Springville 4, Mortimer Jordan 3 (MJ eliminated)
Alexandria 7, Ardmore 6 (Ardmore eliminated)
Thursday’s games
Rehobeth vs. Moody, 9:30 a.m.
Alexandria vs. Springville, 10:45 a.m.
Alexandria-Springville winner vs. Rehobeth-Moody loser, 2:15 p.m.
Championship game, 4 p.m.
“If” game, 5:45 p.m.
Springville 3, Alexandria 0
Alexandria 000 000 0 – 0 3 1
Springville 012 000 x – 3 5 1
WP: Swaney. LP: M. Phillips. HR: Kyser (S), Chapman (S).
Alexandria 6, Faith Academy 4
Alexandria 021 102 0 – 6 8 0
Faith Acad. 000 130 0 – 4 8 3
WP: Rolfe. LP: Hinton. HR: M. Phillips (A), Fincher (FA), Robinson (FA).
Alexandria 7, Ardmore 6
Ardmore 003 000 3 – 6 8 1
Alexandria 003 040 x – 7 11 9
WP: M. Phillips. LP: Hill.
CLASS 3A STATE TOURNAMENT
Thursday’s first-round games
Opp vs. Prattville Christian, 10:45 a.m.
Plainview vs. Pleasant Valley, 10:45 a.m.
American Christian vs. Geneca, 12:30 p.m.
Locust Fork vs. Lauderdale County, 12:30 p.m.
Loser’s bracket games, 5:45 p.m.
Winner’s bracket games, 7:30 p.m.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login