By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Two girls’ all-star softball teams from Hartselle are set to begin their runs for a state Dixie League title at Lagoon Park in Montgomery on Friday.
The 7-8 Darlings will open the tournament in their age division in a 5 p.m. game as the District 1 title winner. They will face McCalla, the District 3 representative.
The 11-12 Ponytails will tangle with host Montgomery in a 6:30 p.m. game.
Finals in both divisions are set for Monday night.
The Darlings are back in the hunt for a state title for the second year in a row. They represented the state in the Dixie World Series in North Carolina in 2007, finishing as the runner-up team. Five members of that team are back. They are Kenzie Parker, Magan Zuck, Brooklyn Wallace, Reagan Martin and Laninya Wiggins. Other team members are Jordan Finn, Karly Agee, Carrie Hanners, Josie Halbrooks, Anna Mathis, Maggie Anderson and Paige Garner. Derek Parker is the head coach. Assistant coaches are Tim Martin, Brian Wallace and John Anderson.
The Ponytail all-stars are on a six-game winning streak in postseason competition. In 37 innings, they scored 52 runs while allowing their opponents only seven runs.
Team members are Amberly Anderson, Ashley Boggs, Haley Jared, McKenzie Waddell, Sarah Ellen Battles, Riley Corum, Jada Hayes, Riley McClellan, Kaylee McKissack, Leah Roberts, Leah Stephenson and Madeline Sittason. Assisting Parker as coaches are Chris Stephenson and Matt Jared.
Parker said his team would arrive in Montgomery a day early in order to get in a practice session before its first game.