Gardendale Varsity Softball had a big mountain to climb on the road to winning the Smith Lake Classic title. The Rockets needed to get through 3 opponents in Pool Play to make it to Bracket Play on Saturday where the games were single elimination. Gardendale faced 3 opponents in 3 games beginning Saturday around 4:30pm and won every game through the evening before being crowned Smith Lake Classic Champions.
Saturday March 11th.
Bracket Play.
Gardendale vs. Winston County Yellow Jackets
Gardendale wins 9-0.
The Rockets continued bringing the hits as they compiled 13 hits and 9 runs against no runs and 1 hit for the Yellow Jackets. The Rockets scored 3 runs each in the 1st and 2nd inning and added 3 in the 4th.
Miya Covington and Lillie Piersol led the Rockets each going 3 for 3 at the plate. Anna Valentine went 2 for 3.
Bailey Snow got the win and the shutout and pitched a 1-hitter against the Yellow Jackets.
Saturday March 11th.
Bracket Play.
Gardendale vs. Oak Grove Tigers
Gardendale Wins 6-3 in 3 innings.
The Rockets continued solid offense, scoring runs in each of the 3 innings.
Covington, Sophie Gant and Kenley Vaughn had 2 hits each for Gardendale.
Gant got the start and the win allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits and adding 6 strikeouts.
Championship Game
Saturday March 11th.
Gardendale vs. Curry Yellow Jackets
Rockets Win 7-6 in 9 innings.
It was the battle that a championship game should be. Gardendale was down 5-2 through 6 innings before getting hot on offense and mounting a comeback. The Rockets scored 3 runs in the 7th and added a run in each of the next 2 innings to outlast Curry by 1 run.
Gardendale had 8 hits and 2 errors. Curry had 10 hits and 5 errors.
Miya Covington, Nattie Miles, Catey Thomas, Kenley Vaughn and Anna Valentine each had a hit for Gardendale. Lillie Piersol continued her strong bracket play in leading the Rockets on offense going 3 for 3.
The Rockets used 2 pitchers in the circle. Kendall Norman got the start and left early giving up 2 runs. Sophie Gant finished out the last 8 innings of the game. She allowed 8 hits and 3 runs (2 earned) and struck out 3 batters.
