Contributed by Brian Schooley
The Prattville Lady Lions varsity softball team traveled to Lagoon Park on Friday evening to face off against Area 3 rival Lee High School. Still smarting from Thursday’s night extra inning loss, the Lions roared to a 10-0 victory over the Generals. Senior pitcher Melissa Townsend was stellar on the mound as she pitched a no hitter and struck out 16. Only a hit batter in the first inning kept Townsend from a perfect game.
Before Townsend took the mound in the bottom of the first inning, the Lady Lions had already put six runs on the board in the top half of the inning. Senior Ty Wilson started the inning with an infield single. After stealing second and moving to third on a fielder’s choice, Wilson raced home on a passed ball by the catcher. With the bases cleared, Kaelyn Campbell singled, followed by a Gracie Pittman double. Aliyah Hamilton jolted a two-out double. The Generals then committed two errors and walked a batter, and by the time the dust had settled, Prattville had 6 runs showing on the scoreboard.
The Lions would put up three more run in the fourth inning with sacrifice flies from Townsend and Campbell, and then a solo home run from Gracie Pittman. Prattville added one more run in the sixth when Pittman drove in her third RBI of the night. The game was called after six innings due to the 10-run mercy rule.
Pittman ended the night with three hits, while Wilson and Hamilton each had two hits. Eavie Lou Polk added a single, and she and Kensley Jarman each reached base safely twice. Jordan Harlow also walked and scored a run.
With the win, Prattville improved its record to 10-6-1. More importantly, the Lady Lions are now 2-0 in Area 3 play. Another busy week is ahead for the Lady Lions, as they travel to Vestavia on Monday, then host county rival Marbury on Tuesday. Prattville will be back on the road on Thursday when they head to Central Phenix City. The Lady Lions will finish the week competing in a tournament hosted by Prattville Christian Academy.