The high school softball regionals trucked along Wednesday, as Class 1A teams clinched berths to the state tournament, while Classes 2A, 3A and 5A got started. Those three will wrap up on Thursday to set the full bracket for the state tournament next week.
There are a few things worth pointing out from what I saw today.
It would have been easy for Hackleburg to see last season’s runner-up finish as a lost opportunity, as a loaded roster lost several players. But led by Braylynn Pope, Hackleburg is back as a real threat in Class 1A once again.
Winfield’s Hanna Kimbrell (Jacksonville State) is the real deal, both offensively and defensively. She already has over 100 hits and 100 RBIs on the season, but she makes plays at short look easy that not many can even execute.
Humble superstars are quite uncommon. Sometimes I wonder if Colbert County pitcher Makayli Davis (UNA) realizes just how good she is. But I’ll tell you who doesn’t wonder: everyone who has faced her this year. She had a dominant day, throwing 14 innings and striking out 29 hitters. In her team’s 2-0 win over Madison Academy, she also provided the offense with a two-run home run.
In the Class 3A East Regional, Randolph County is in a good spot to earn a second straight state tournament berth after making its first appearance last year. Hanceville has also popped, led by pitcher KK Butler.
In 5A, St. Clair County is a game away from a state tournament berth after upsetting Springville.
Finally, down south, Leroy put forth an incredible effort, as the Bears won three straight games to climb out of the elimination bracket and earned a state tournament berth. McKenzie Smith threw the final two games of the day and was on point in both. She allowed only an unearned run over 14 total innings of work. Smith pitched a great game yesterday too, limiting defending state champion Kinston to one hit in a tough loss. Hannah Howard had the big blow in the decisive game, with the go-ahead double in the late innings.
Here’s a look across the state at all the action Wednesday:
North Regional
Class 1A
Hackleburg 13, Shoals Christian 3
Bella Harper: 2B, HR, 3 RBIs
Braylynn Pope: 2B, HR, 4 RBIs
Heidi Hudson: 2 2Bs, 2 RBIs
Athens Bible 8, South Lamar 6
Lynn 9, Hubbertville 3
Athens Bible 17, Lynn 4
Athens Bible 11, Shoals Christian 4
Class 2A
Lamar County 9, Tharptown 3
Sumiton Christian 12, Sulligent 2
Belgreen 11, Winston County 0
Zoey Blaxton: 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 10 K
Lexington 17, Tuscaloosa Academy 0
Lamar County 7, Sumiton Christian 2
Lexington 9, Belgreen 6
Jemma Moore: 2B, HR*, 4 RBIs
Tharptown 6, Sulligent 5
Cadence Kennedy: Go-ahead hit
Alyssa Fischer: 3 2Bs, RBI; 7 IP
Tuscaloosa Academy 11, Winston County 8
Lily Lucas: 2B, 3 RBIs
Lillian Johnson: 3-4, RBI
Class 3A
Winfield 6, Whitesburg Christian 0
Baila Morgan: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 6 K
Colbert Heights 6, Rogers 4
Taryn Wagnon (CH): 3-4, 2B, 3 RBIs
AJ Emmons (R): 3-4
Madison Academy 10, Gordo 1
Memphis Houston: 2-4, HR, 5 RBIs
Evie Stephenson: 3-4
Cat Schreiber: 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R (0 ER), 12 K
Colbert County 4, Mars Hill 3
Makayli Davis (CC): 7 IP, 3 R, 16 K
Lanee Flatt (MH): 3-4, 2B, 3B
Winfield 9, Colbert Heights 3
Hanna Kimbrell (W): 2B, HR, 3 RBIs
Molly Elkins (W): HR, 3 RBIs
Tori Rainey (W): HR, RBI; 7 IP, 3 R (2 ER)
Colbert County 2, Madison Academy 0
Makayli Davis (CC): HR, 2 RBIs; 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 13 K
Cat Schreiber (MA): 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 11 K
Rogers 9, Whitesburg Christian 3
Avery Lindsey: 2-3, 3B, 3 RBIs
Mattleigh Wells: 3-4, 2 RBIs
Emory Petty: 3-4, 2 RBIs
Alyssa Richardson: 7 IP, 5 H, 3 R (2 ER), 8 K
Mars Hill 11, Gordo 0
Lila Embry: 2-4, 2B, 3 RBIs
Kelsie McDaniel: 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R
Class 5A
Boaz 10, East Limestone 0
Bailey Lusk (B): 2-2, 2B, 4 RBIs; 4.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 5 K
Kailey Matthews (EL): 2 2Bs
Lawrence County 10, Scottsboro 0
Bella Cross: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 6 K
Russellville 8, Arab 2
Khristyan Huerta (R): 3-4
Kaylee Suggs (R): 3-4, 2 RBIs
Taitum Bishop (R): 5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 7 K
Ardmore 13, Douglas 0
Payton Pennington: 3-4, 2B, 3 RBIs
Fallon Broadway: 3-4, RBI; 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R
Lawrence County 11, Boaz 6
Alivia Terry (LC): 2-4, 2B, 3 RBIs
Ava Templeton (LC): 3-5, 2B, 3 RBIs
Grier Maples (B): 3-4
Braelyn Burke (B): 3-4, RBI
Ardmore 14, Russellville 3
Makena Hall: 3 2Bs, 2 RBIs
Kadence Williams: 2B, 3 RBIs
Kiki Embry: 2-3, 2B, 3 RBIs
Sulivan Smith: 3-4
Scottsboro 12, East Limestone 6
Ali Jones (S): 2 hits, HR, 3 RBIs
Shila Wadkins (S): HR, RBI
Ava Grace Long (S): 3-5, RBI
Kailey Matthews (EL): HR, RBI
Arab 3, Douglas 2 (F/8)
Ali Parker: Go-ahead 2B
Ella Blackmon: 3-3, RBI
Madi Hartline: 8 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 10 K
East Regional
Class 1A
Ider 8, Skyline 7
Hadley Epps: 3B, 3 RBIs
Jacksonville Christian 12, Ragland 3
Appalachian 17, Meek 9
Carmyn Daugherty: 3-4, 2B, 3B, 4 RBIs
Appalachian 6, Jacksonville Christian 2
Skyline 11, Appalachian 0
Bailey Fisk: 3-3, 2 2Bs, 4 RBIs
Bentlee Romans: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 6 K
Class 2A
West End 8, North Sand Mountain 6
Braylee King (WE): 3-4, HR, 2 RBIs
Kendall Williamson (NSM): 3-3, 2 2Bs, 2 RBIs
Kaleigh Roberts (NSM): 3-4
Pleasant Valley 14, Decatur Heritage 0
Cleveland 6, Pisgah 4
Cedar Bluff 7, Falkville 2
West End 5, Pleasant Valley 2
Emma Franklin: 7 IP, 2 R
Cleveland 7, Cedar Bluff 6
North Sand Mountain 19, Decatur Heritage 4
Kearah King: HR*, 2 RBIs
Pisgah 13, Falkville 1
Campbell Barron: 2B, 3B, 2 RBIs
Jimah Stevens: 3-5, 3B
Addison Schultz: 2 hits, 4 RBIs
Lori Jones: 6.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 6 K
Class 3A
Randolph County 11, Locust Fork 1
Hannah Parmer: 3-4, 3B, HR*, 5 RBIs
Abi Waters: 5 IP, 1 R, 4 K
Ohatchee 5, Collinsville 2
Alanah Fitch: 3B, 3 RBIs
MK Brackett: 3 IP, 1 H, 0 R
Hanceville 10, Weaver 0
KK Butler: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 8 K
Glencoe 3, Geraldine 2
Randolph County 12, Ohatchee 8
Hannah Parmer (RC): 3-4, 2 2Bs, HR, 6 RBIs
Gracie Reed (O): 3B, 4 RBIs
Hanceville 16, Glencoe 2
KK Butler: 2-4, HR, 4 RBIs; 5 IP, 2 R (1 ER)
Laila Lewis: 2-4, 3 RBIs
Collinsville 7, Locust Fork 5 (F/9)
Braylee Calloway: 3-4, 2B, 3B, 2 RBIs; 9 IP
Annie Aguirre: 3-5
Geraldine 10, Weaver 3
Class 5A
Northside 6, Corner 3
Haley Lyons (N): 3-3, RBI
Baylee Appling (N): 7 IP, 3 R (2 ER)
Calee Guin (C): 3-4, RBI
Jordyn Farris (C): 3 IP, 1 R
Moody 4, Lincoln 1
Laney Saunier: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R (0 ER), 4 K
St. Clair County 16, Leeds 1
Jayla Bass: 3-3, HR*, 3 RBIs
Oaklie Rewis: 3-3, 3B, 2 RBIs
Demeria Dean: 3 RBIs
Springville 10, John Carroll 0
Leah Bowden: 2 HRs, 4 RBIs
Aida Locklear: 3-3, 2B, RBI
MJ Middleton: 2-2, 2B, 3 RBIs
Georgia Chancellor: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 12 K
Moody 2, Northside 0
Peyton Harry (M): Go-ahead sac fly
Laney Saunier (M): 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 4 K
Avery Patton (N): 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 4 K
St. Clair County 7, Springville 6
Jayla Bass (StC): 3B, 3 RBIs
Kennadi Samuelson (Sp): 2-3, 3B, 3 RBIs
Corner 16, Lincoln 5
Crimson Erwin (C): 2-4, 3B, 3 RBIs
Calee Guin (C): 3-4, 2B, RBI
Sydney Lackey (C): 3-4, 3 RBIs
Cameron Pruitt (L): HR, RBI
Aubrey Machen (L): 3-3, 2B, 3B, 2 RBIs
John Carroll 14, Leeds 4
Emily Williams: HR, 4 RBIs
Kaylynn Nutter: 3-4, 2 3Bs, 3 RBIs
Lucy White: 2B, 3B, 4 RBIs
Central Regional
Class 1A
Maplesville 11, Fayetteville 7
Kennedy Reed: HR, RBI
Addie Fancher: 3-4, 3B, 4 RBIs
Hannah Crowe: 3-4, 2 2Bs, RBI
Mollie Kayte Smith: 4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R
Woodland 11, University Charter 2
Billingsley 10, Keith 4
Woodland 9, Billingsley 0
Woodland 5, Fayetteville 0
Class 2A
Ranburne 20, Highland Home 4
Central-Coosa 16, Loachapoka 0
Southeastern 20, Central-Hayneville 0
Ansley Spitzer: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 7 K
Ranburne 7, Reeltown 2
Southeastern 18, Central-Coosa 3
Maci Vest: 2-2, 3B, 3 RBIs
Liliana Cassity: 3-3, 2B, 4 RBIs
Central-Hayneville 31, Loachapoka 16
Class 3A
Saint James 9, Thorsby 0
Aleigha Davis: 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R
Glenwood 15, Greensboro 0
Lee-Scott 11, Hale County 1
Childersburg 9, Trinity 4
Alaysha McKinney (C): 3-4, 2B, 3B, RBI
Deyanna Swain (C): 3B, 3 RBIs
Maddie Brooks (C): 3-4, 3B, RBI
Marley Sharpless (T): 2 2Bs
Saint James 5, Glenwood 2
Sydney Johnston: 4-4, 2B, RBI
Emily Needham: 7 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 10 K
Lee-Scott 9, Childersburg 0
Thorsby 16, Greensboro 1
Trinity 10, Hale County 3
Emma Rose Meldrum: HR, 3 RBIs
Emory Harris: 2-4, 3 RBIs
Layla Pelt: 3-4, RBI; 7 IP, 3 R (0 ER)
Class 5A
Central-Clay County 5, Brew Tech 0
Kyra Wallace: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R
Beauregard 12, Jemison 1
Ellie Burroughs: 3-3, 2 2Bs, 3 RBIs
Lindsey Moulton: 6 IP, 1 H, 1 R (0 ER)
Elmore County 13, Demopolis 0
Holtville 2, Shelby County 1
Megyn Burnett (H): Go-ahead HR, 3B
Kylie Snowden (H): 7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 6 K
Brooklyn Richardson (SC): 7 IP, 2 R, 11 K
Beauregard 12, Central-Clay County 2
Ellie Burroughs: 3-3, 2B, 2 RBIs
McKenzie Handley: 3-3, 2B, 5 RBIs
Raegan Brooks: 5 IP, 3 H, 2 R (0 ER)
Holtville 4, Elmore County 3
Lacy Strength: Walk-off run
Brooke Findley: 7 IP, 3 R (2 ER)
Brew Tech 14, Jemison 4
Jaelyn Bolling: 2-3, 2B, 3 RBIs
Shelby County 16, Demopolis 6
Aaliyah Chaisson: 3-4, 2B
Danslen Connell: 4-5, 2B, RBI
Makayla Allen: 3-4, 2B, 4 RBIs
Maddy Minton: 4-4, 5 RBIs
South Regional
Class 1A
Kinston 12, Florala 2
Millry 4, Red Level 0
Leroy 9, Sweet Water 3
Caroline Guy: 3-3, 2 RBIs
Liz Baugh: 7 IP, 3 R (2 ER)
Leroy 7, Millry 0
McKenzie Smith: 7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 7 K
Leroy 4, Florala 1
Hannah Howard: Go-ahead 2-run 2B
McKenzie Smith: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R (0 ER), 6 K
Class 2A
Blacksher 11, Zion Chapel 1
G.W. Long 11, Cottonwood 0
Ariton 12, Samson 2
Pike Liberal 10, Washington County 6
G.W. Long 6, Blacksher 3
Ariton 3, Pike Liberal 1
Zion Chapel 5, Cottonwood 4
Washington County 13, Samson 3
Allie Williams: 4-4, 3 2Bs, 3 RBIs
Maddie McKinley: 3-4, 2B, 3 RBIs
Class 3A
Mobile Christian 17, Dallas County 0
Wicksburg 10, Excel 0
Chloe Joyner: 3-3, 2B, 5 RBIs
Ellie Cox: 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 12 K
T.R. Miller 7, Slocomb 2
Thomasville 4, Cottage Hill 0
Wicksburg 3, Mobile Christian 0
Gracie Driskell: Go-ahead sac fly
Ellie Cox: 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 10 K
T.R. Miller 12, Thomasville 11
Excel 17, Dallas County 0
Slocomb 9, Cottage Hill 6
Jaylyn Mosley: 2B, 3B, RBI
Class 5A
Headland 12, Elberta 2
Faith Academy 15, Charles Henderson 0
Mylee Stagner: 2-3, HR, 2 RBIs
Brooklyn Willard: 3-3, 3B, RBI
Zoe Miller: 2-2, 3B, 3 RBIs
Carleigh Pledger: 3 RBIs
Andalusia 9, St. Paul’s 1
Houston Academy 16, UMS-Wright 0
Faith Academy 3, Headland 1
Larkyn Anthony: 7 IP, 1 R (0 ER), 6 K
Houston Academy 10, Andalusia 0
Elberta 12, Charles Henderson 2
St. Paul’s 6, UMS-Wright 2
Julia Dugan: 2 2Bs, 2 RBIs
Ava Voris: 7 IP, 4 H, 2 R (0 ER), 10 K