Photo:The Etowah High softball team went 4-0 to win its invitational tournament last Saturday (March 17) in Attala. Pictured, kneeling, from left: Shy Gibbs, Jada Bigelow, Jessica Smith, Lexi Brown, Anna Kate Watkins, Abbi Martin, Krislyn West, Shelby Horton. Standing, from left: assistant coach Steve West, assistant coach Sarah Street, Bree Vasser, Melissa Love, Kalena Beshears, Sydney Simpson, Anna Jones, Kacie Byrd, Hally Bennett, Alexus Phillips, assistant coach Katie Coggins, head coach Stephen Coggins.
The Etowah High softball team went 4-0 to win its invitational tournament last Saturday (March 17).
The Lady Blue Devils (11-8) opened pool play with a 3-0 victory over Ragland. In six innings, winning pitcher Sydney Simpson struck out nine. Bree Vasser, Melissa Love, Shy Gibbs, Jessica Smith and Alexis Phillips each had a hit while Abbi Martin had an RBI. Martin, Gibbs, Vasser, and Phillips each had a stolen base.
Etowah then defeated Ashville, 8-5. Vasser went 3-for-3 with a single, double and home run along with four RBI. Martin added a pair of hits and an RBI, while Gibbs and Phillips each had a hit. Kacie Byrd started the game and Sydney Simpson came on in relief.
The Lady Blue Devils then posted a 3-2 win over Class 4A No. 5 Cherokee County. Simpson went six innings for the victory, allowing four hits while striking out five. Love and Phillips each had two hits and an RBI, Hally Bennett had two hits and Martin, Smith and Krislyn West all had a hit.
In the championship game, Etowah edged Ashville, 2-1. Byrd scattered five hits and struck out one for the win. Simpson had three strikeouts to earn the save. Shy Gibbs had two hits and two RBI, while Martin, Bennett, Vasser, Phillips and West each had a hit. Bennett had two stolen bases, while Martin and Anna Kate Watkins each had one.