Hartselle’s softball team took first place in the Morgan County Softball Tournament. | Clif Knight

Hartselle’s rebounded from a 3-2 loss to Austin to capture championship honors in the varsity division of the Morgan County Softball Tournament at Wilson Morgan Park in Decatur Saturday night.

The Lady Tigers advanced to the tournament final without a loss, including a 7-1 win over the Lady Black Bears earlier in the day. A 3-2 loss to Austin in the championship round’s first game put Hartselle in a position of having to win a second game to claim to county title.

The Lady Tigers responded with a resounding 15-5 win to claim the title.

Hartselle sent 14 players to the plate in the first inning alone. In the rout, they scored eight runs on seven hits, three walks, an error and left the bases loaded. They were 14-2 after four innings

Four Lady Tigers belted home runs and six team members collected multiple hits.

Baylee Holt belted two solo homers, Madeline Sittason had a homer, double and two singles, Sarah Ellen Battles had a two-run home run and a single, Taylor Wascavage had a homer, double and a single, Jada Hayes had a homer and a single, Ashley Boggs had three singles, Haley Jared doubled and Leah Stephenson singled.

Hayes was the winning pitcher. She allowed five runs on five hits while recording eight strikeouts and issuing six walks.

Austin 3 Hartselle 2

The Lady Black Bears edged Hartselle 3-2 to force a second game in the championship round of the double-elimination Morgan County Softball Tournament Satrurday night.

The Lady Tigers scored single runs in the first and third innings and appeared to be in control until Austin struck back with a two-run homer in the top of the fourth to tie the game at 2-all. A solo home run by Austin in the top of the sixth providing the winning margin. The Lady Tigers threatened in the bottom of the seven on the strength of back-to-back singles but ended the game with a deep fly ball to right field.

Hartselle out-hit the Lady Black Bears 10 to five. Boggs and Sittason each had a double and single, Battles had a pair of singles, and Faulk, Wascavage, Holt and Jared each singled.

Faulk was tagged with the loss. She allowed three runs on five hits while recording three strikeouts and walking one in five innings. Hayes pitched the final two innings, allowing no runs on no hits while striking out two batters.