By Chris McCarthy/Editor
The Southside High varsity softball team won the 32-team Gulf Shores Classic III last week in Gulf Shores.
The Class 6A No. Lady Panthers (22-4) defeated Daphne, 3-1, in the championship game on Mar.31.
In pool play, Southside beat Class 7A No. 3 Hoover, 3-0; Baldwin County, 11-1; Class 3A No. 8 Pleasant Valley, 4-2; and Portland (Tenn.), 7-0.
In bracket play, Southside defeated Pleasant Valley, 13-2; McNairy Central Tenn.), 12-0; and Class 4A No. 8 Handley, 4-3. The Lady Panthers then posted a 10-2 semifinal victory over Hoover.
“I’m so very proud of our girls this week,” said SHS head coach Angie Sanders. “We’re solid with above-average speed and above average pitching that’s backed with top-notch defense.”
Lauren Hunt hit .609 for the tournament with 14 hits, followed by Emilee Coker (13 hits, .464 avg.) and Mallary Smith (12 hits, .545 avg.).
On the pitching mound, Savanna Yancey went 7-0 with a 1.05 earned run average and 18 strikeouts, while McKenzie White went 2-0 with ERA of .50 and five strikeouts.
“What I’m most proud of is our togetherness, added Sanders. “Not all of our 16 girls got to play, and some played a little more than others, but that didn’t stop those girls in the dugout from being a huge part of our success.”