Rison slips by Parkers Chapel

LEPANTO - Rison scored a run in the top of the seventh inning, which proved to be the difference Saturday in a 3-2 victory over Parkers Chapel in the 2A State Softball semifinals. The Lady Trojans ended their season with a 26-7 record.

“I’m tremendously proud of these girls,” said Parkers Chapel coach Justin Welch. “Even until the very last out, I still believed they were going to come back because they’ve been doing that all season. There’s no quit in these girls. They fought until the very end. They were still fighting in that last inning.”

An error led to Julie Beck’s two-run single in the first inning for the Lady Wildcats.

The Lady Trojans tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Courtney Phelps singled. Savannah Jones then tripled down the rightfield line, which plated courtesy runner, Hannah Barbaree. With two outs, Kaylin Waller tied the game with a RBI double.

Rison regained the lead in the top of the seventh. Macey Ratliff singled to right and scored on a single by Kennedy Ratliff.

The Lady Trojans went down in order in the bottom of the inning to end the game.

“They made a few more defensive plays than us. That’s all it comes down to. They made one or two more plays,” said Welch.

Kristen Hurst was the winning pitcher, allowing two runs on five hits with one walk and five strikeouts. Rison improved to 27-5 and will take on Spring Hill in the championship game.

Phelps absorbed the loss. The senior gave up two earned runs on nine hits with four strikeouts and no walks.

“The seniors have had an outstanding career,” said Welch. “They’ve won 85 or 86 games in their four years. They were a great class. We played several freshmen this year so the future is bright for them.

“I really enjoyed working with these girls. They gave me everything they had and I appreciate it. I was hoping to send these seniors off with a good parting gift. Unfortunately, life doesn’t always work out that way. But, they have been warriors for me.”