East Limestone hit a walk-off home run in the eighth inning to upset Hartselle 4-3 in area play Tuesday afternoon.

The loss sets up a must-win game in a rubber match Thursday at Reuben Sims Field. The first game at 4:30 p.m. counts toward the area record. The Tigers have yet to play Cullman in an area game while East Limestone still has to play West Point.

Hartselle, Cullman and East Limestone are all tied at 2-1 for first place in the area. West Point is winless in area play.

Deacon Aldridge led the Tigers’ hitting with a pair of doubles and a run scored. Brett Blackwood was 2-for-4 with a solo home run.

Colton Ord and Zane Hamlett were the only other hitters for Hartselle.

Alridge took the loss despite having three strikeouts in one and two-thirds innings. Jackson Smith, the starter, allowed one earned run on three hits and three walks with seven strikeouts.

Hartselle 10, East Limestone 1

Brady Wallace racked up eight strikeouts to earn the win for Hartselle. The lone run came on a solo homer in the fifth inning. Jake Shelton also had a strikeout in relief.

Chris Brown had a two-run home run to highlight his 3-for-5, four-RBI performance. Brett Blackwood was also 3-for-5 with three RBIs and three runs scored.

Deacon Aldridge was 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Blake Slayton also doubled and drove in a run.

Easton Chenault and Zane Hamlett drove in runs for Hartselle.