By Staff
Staff Reports, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle's Encore Elite captured championship honors in the 12-under division of the Hartselle Invitational Tournament Saturday night.
They emerged undefeated in five games by knocking off Hartselle Heat, 4-1. Both teams entered the final game with perfect records.
Encore Elite defeated Lawrence County Pride, 5-0, Cullman Crushers, 9-0, and Chelsea Sting, 4-3, in pool play. They also defeated the Cullman Crushers, 5-0, to reach the championship game.
In the title game, they relied heavily on the strong pitching of Breanna Riley and Meaghan Gray.
Each pitched three innings. Riley posted nine strikeouts while walking only one batter. Gray had three strikeouts and allowed three walks.
Leah Dobbins led the team in hitting with a triple and a single. Lindsey Romager and Alex Paulson each added a pair of singles and Katelyn Hill and Deleasa Henderson each had a single.
In the semi-final win over the Cullman Crushers, Riley pitched a one-hit shutout. She had 11 strikeouts and didn't allow a walk.
Meghan Stephenson and Henderson each doubled and Romager, Gray and Paulson each had a single for Extreme Elite.
In the pool play games, Riley and Gray each recorded two-hit shutouts and Paulson was credited with a win.
At the plate, Dobbins had two doubles and two singles, Paulson and Salverson each had a pair of singles and Grace Cain, Stephenson, Romager, Hill, Gray, Riley and Henderson each had a single.