Messenger file photo by Chris McCarthy
The Etowah High softball team went 5-1 to win the Ider Invitational Tournament last weekend at Oxford Lakes. After losing in the first game of pool play, the Lady Blue Devils won four straight, including a seven-run victory over Fyffe in the tournament championship game.
Following a 3-1 loss Pell City, Etowah outscored the opposition 44 to 6 while defeating three ranked teams in the process.
Junior pitcher Sydney Simpson and junior shortstop Abbi Martin both came up big against Class 3A No. 10 Fyffe in the championship game. In seven innings, Simpson (pictured above) allowed one hit, no earned runs and five walks while striking out 15. Martin went 3-for-4 at the plate with two doubles, a triple, six RBI and two runs scored.
Etowah opened the tournament on Feb. 26 with a 3-1 loss to Class 6A No. 6 Pell City. For the Lady Blue Devils, Martin went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Anna Jones went 2-for-2. Simpson allowed three hits, three runs and two walks over five innings.
Etowah responded from the above setback with an 8-0 shutout over Ider later that day. Hally Bennet had a home run, three RBI and two runs scored; Ellington Jones went 2-for-2 with a double and three RBI; Lauren Farmer went 2-for-2 with a run scored; Anna Jones had a hit and two runs scored; Simpson, Kalena Beshears and Laura Wood each had a hit and a run scored; and Kacie Byrd had two RBI. Byrd earned win, allowing four hits and one walk over five innings.
The Lady Blue Devils picked up where they left off last Saturday (Feb. 27), beating Randolph County, 8-3. Martin went 3-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored; Anna Jones had a home run, two RBVI and a run scored; and Simpson, Byrd and Jaleigh Devine each had a hit.
Etowah then put up 14 hits against Collinsville in an 13-1 win. Ellington Jones went 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run scored; Simpson went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI; Bennett went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two run scored; Byrd went 2-for-3 with a triple, two RBI and a run scored; Devine went 2-for-3 with two runs scored; Martin had a hit, and RBI and two runs scored; Beshears had a hit, an RBI and two runs scored; and Farmer had a hit, an RBI and a run scored.
Simpson struck out five in two innings.
The Lady Blue Devils gained a measure of revenge over Pell City with a 7-1 victory in the semifinals. In six innings, Simpson allowed one hit, no earned runs and one walk while fanning nine in six innings. She helped her cause with two hits and an RBI. Also at the plate, Behsears went 2-for-4 with two doubles, three RBI and a run scored; Farmer went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored; Bennett had a hit and an RBI; and Martin and Devine each had a hit and a run scored.
That set up Etowah’s win over Fyffe in the championship game, during which Devine went 2-for-3 with an RBI and Farmer scored three runs. Bennett and Byrd each had a hit and a run scored.