Contributed by Brian Schooley
Prior to Wednesday evening’s Area 3 match-up with Lee, Prattville’s varsity softball team honored their seniors in a pre-game celebration. Once the first pitch was thrown, the Lady Lions took control and prepared for a post-game celebration for their perfect 6-0 record in Area 3 play as they easily took down Lee 15-0 in a three-inning run-rule game.
Senior pitcher Melissa Townsend was outstanding as she pitched a no hitter in the shortened game. She struck out six batters and only allowed one batter to reach base. After hitting the first batter of the game, Townsend mowed down the next three batters in order. In the bottom of the first, the Lady Lions posted six runs. Senior Ty Wilson led off with a single followed by a Townsend walk. After the runner’s moved up a base on a wild pitch, Kaelyn Campbell hit a sacrifice fly to drive in the first run. Catcher Gracie Pittman then launched a two-run homer to left field. Senior third baseman Aliyah Hamilton then drove a ball down the right field line which rolled all the way to the corner of the fence. Hamilton touched them all on her way to an inside the park home run. After the second out was recorded, senior left fielder Miracle Johnson hit the third home run of the inning with a massive shot to left field. Jordan Harlow then reached second on an error and was driven home by Eavie Lou Polk.
Townsend struck out two more batters in the second inning and retired the Generals in order. The Lady Lions put the game away in the bottom of the inning with nine runs. Prattville was provided some help by the Generals as they hit three batters and committed two errors in the inning. Nine different Lady Lions reached base in the inning with Campbell, Hamilton, Wilson, and Townsend each rapping hits. Anna Schooley pulled off an interesting feat as she stole two bases and scored as a courtesy runner for the pitcher, and then later in the inning, walked as a pinch hitter.
Townsend put Lee down in order again in the third to seal the victory and earn her second no hitter of the season. Hamilton drove in four runs on the evening, while Johnson, Polk, and Pittman each had two RBIs.
Before the game, five senior players and two managers were recognized for their contributions to the softball program. The senior players were Melissa Townsend, Ty Wilson, Miracle Johnson, Aliyah Hamilton, and Kailey Voland. The managers were Parker Gray and Jaden Nolan. Each of these young leaders have been outstanding representatives of Prattville High School.
Prattville will be back in action over the weekend when they compete in the Beauregard Tournament at the Auburn Sports Complex. They are scheduled to meet Hewitt-Trussville and Oak Mountain next week before hosting the Area 3 tournament the following week.
Comments