E.A. Sports Today

Lady Cubs stay alive

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.

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