By Staff
Justin Schuver, Hartselle Enquirer
MONTGOMERY – The Lady Hawks dropped both games they played at Lagoon Park Complex Thursday, finishing in a tie for seventh place in Class 3A. Danville's first loss was a close 4-0 defeat to eventual state champion Alabama Christian, who has won three titles in a row. The Lady Hawks then dropped to the losers' bracket and fell 9-4 to Leeds to end a short trip to Montgomery.
"Overall it was a good experience for our young team, and hopefully it's something we can build on for next year," Danville coach Holly Little said.
The Lady Hawks return the core of their team next season, losing just two seniors in catcher Charleston Wilson and right fielder Haley Hensley.
Danville's season ended at 32-21.
Losers' bracket first round
Leeds 9
Danville 4
Against Leeds, the Green Wave broke out to a 4-0 lead after two innings and took advantage of several defensive miscues by the Lady Hawks to cruise to the victory.
Danville cut the lead to 4-2 in the top of the third, with Kristen Thompson's two-RBI single scoring both Bethany Evans and Charleston Wilson. But two Danville errors in the bottom of the inning proved costly as Leeds increased its lead to 8-2 and the Lady Hawks were unable to respond.
"Maybe we spent all our effort in the Alabama Christian game," Little said. "We just didn't get any hits against Leeds. The errors hurt, but ultimately we just couldn't get our bats going."
The Lady Hawks added two more runs in the top of the seventh, with Brittany Atkins picking up an RBI single.
Winners' bracket first round
Alabama Christian 4
Danville 0
The Lady Hawks matched two-time defending champion Alabama Christian through four scoreless innings before the Lady Eagles broke out with three runs in the fifth inning. Alabama Christian added a run in the seventh to put the game away.
"Our girls played really hard in that game," Little said. "I was very proud of their effort. They had the one bad inning and sometimes that's enough to hurt you against a good team like Alabama Christian."
Danville had just three base runners reach against Alabama Christian pitcher Katie Aaron. Aaron struck out 14 Lady Hawks and allowed just two hits and one walk.
Danville starter Atkins pitched well before running into trouble in the fifth inning. She finished with six strikeouts.