Regional softball
- Updated: May 14, 2026
Retiring Bryant picks up win No. 588 before PV falls to North Sand. Randolph County, Ranburne claim state tournament berths.
By East Alabama Sports Today
Going around the horn with games involving area teams at the AHSAA East and Central Regionals:
East Regional
PLEASANT VALLEY: The Raiders opened Thursday with an 11-1 victory over Pisgah then fell to North Sand Mountain 5-3 to finish 2-2 at regional and 25-26 overall in their final season under retiring head coach David Bryant.
He finishes with 588 wins and 12 area titles, including this year’s Class 2A, Area 13 title.
“I’m thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to teach and coach in my home school and community,” Bryant said. “I’m also grateful for all of the people that have supported me … my wife, family, coaches, teachers, parents and community partners. It’s been a honor and privilege.”
Elise Wheeler wielded the hottest bat against Pisgah, going 3-for-5 with five RBIs. Caliey Almaroad went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run, and Hanna Henry went 3-for-4 with a triple, two runs and an RBI.
Alexa Cranmer went 3-for-5 with three runs, and Charlee Grogan went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI. Lilly Robinson went 2-for-3 with a double and a run.
Ellie-Kate Roper pitched a five-hitter with one strikeout and one walk.
Grogan went 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBIs against North Sand Mountain, and Wheeler went 2-for-3 with a run. Robinson had an RBI.
“I’m very proud of this team!” Bryant said. “We finished the year playing our best ball, and our ladies left it all on the field.
“I’m so proud of our two seniors, Cailey Almaroad and Lilly Robinson, and the women they have become. This has been one of my favorite seasons from start to finish. I’m going to miss fastpitch, but I’m looking forward to spoiling my wife, Dana, and spending as much time as I can with my kids and grandkids.”
RANDOLPH COUNTY: The Tigers (24-8) fell to Hanceville 3-2 in the winners’ bracket final then beat Ohatchee 20-4 in the final elimination game to determine the region’s final Class 3A state qualifier.
Randolph County will play South Regional Class 3A top qualifier Wicksburg on Thursday at 9 a.m. at Choccolocco Park.
Hannah Parmer had a single and two RBIs against Hanceville. Bryer Thompson went 2-for-3 , and Lizzie Milam went 2-for-4.
Abi Waters pitched a solid outing, allowing six hits, two earned runs and no walks with four strikeouts in six innings.
Tiger bats came alive again against Ohatchee, with Parmer going 3-for-3 with a home run, triple, eight RBIs and four runs.
Khloe Yates went 4-for-4 with a homer, two doubles, four RBIs and three runs, and Waters went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs.
Karoline Weathers had a triple and two RBIs.
OHATCHEE: The Indians rallied to eliminate Geraldine 9-8, beat Collinsville 12-6 and lost to Randolph County 20-4 in the elimination game to determine the region’s final Class 3A state qualifier.
Ohatchee (33-13) scored three runs in the top of the sixth inning and two in the seventh to force extra innings against Geraldine, and Mollee Barnes’ sacrifice bunt in the ninth plated the go-ahead run.
Ohatchee tied the game on Alanah Fitch’s two-run, inside-the-park home run in the seventh. The sixth-inning rally included Blaze Steward’s RBI single, and two runs scored on a dropped third strike.
Fitch finished 2-for-5 with two runs and two RBIs, and Steward went 1-for-4 with two RBIs and a run. Reese Steward went 2-for-4 with a triple, a run and an RBI, and Gracie Reed went 2-for-4 with a triple, two runs and an RBI.
Madison Mize had a double.
Reese Steward went 3-for-4 with three RBIs against Collinsville, and Reed went 3-for-4 with a triple, two RBIs and two runs. Makayla Bracket went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run, and Mize went 2-for-4 with two runs.
Fitch hit a solo home run against Randolph County, and Bracket had a single and an RBI. Reese Steward and Reed had an RBI apiece.
Central Regional
RANBURNE: The Bulldogs (23-17) fell to Southeastern 4-3 in the winners’ bracket final and beat Reeltown 8-5 in an elimination game to determine the regional’s final Class 2A state qualifier.
Ranburne will play North Regional Class 2A top qualifier Lamar County on Wednesday at 10:45 a.m. at Choccolocco Park.
Shaylie Reaves went 3-for-4 with an RBI against Southeastern. Dakota Martin had a double and an RBI, and Carter Martin had a triple and a run.
Addison Gibbs allowed just four hits, three walks and two earned runs with five strikeouts in seven innings.
Reaves had a double and three RBIs against Reeltown, and Dakota Martin had a double, RBI and a run.
K.K. Rollins had a single and an RBI, and Rylie Duke added a single, a run and an RBI. Peyton Smith had a double and two runs.
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