By Mike Goodson/Sports Correspondent
The Sardis Lady Lions advanced to the championship game of the Etowah County girls softball tournament by virtue of a 12-2 semifinal win over Hokes Bluff last Saturday (Apr. 8) at Glencoe.
Sardis banged out 15 hits in the victory, while the Lady Eagles managed only three.
Hokes Bluff opened the top of the first inning with a hit by Kayle Hickman and a walk to Mckenzie Cofelt that put two runners on. Emilee Latranico then singled to load the bases with no outs.
Kelsee Otwell then hit a ground ball to second base to record the out at first, but an errant throw by the catcher allowed two runs to score, giving the Lady Eagles a 2-0 lead after half an inning.
That lead did not last long.
The Lady Lions scored one run in the first inning, four in the second, six in the fourth and one in the fifth inning on their way to their 10-run victory.
Emily Cook and Carley Gardner each had three hits for Sardis, with Cook tallying a triple, double and single.
Sardis head coach Richey Lee was happy with the way his team bounced back in bottom of the first inning.
“We settled down after the first inning and threw strikes,” he said. “Overall, we pitched well.”