Genoa pulls off upset over top-seeded Salem

Fouke defeated in first round

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Top-seed and state-ranked Salem had no losses this season while also becoming Conference 2-3A league champions before entering the state tournament.

Now, the Lady Greyhounds have one loss and are eliminated from the playoffs in the first round after No. 4 seed Genoa Central handed them a 4-1 upset in extra innings to kick off the Class 3A Centennial Bank State Softball Tournament on Thursday evening at Honus Wagner Field at Majestic Park.

After a nail-biting seven innings and a 0-0 tie, Genoa Central scored a run in the eighth on a fielder’s choice by Brenley Ward, raising hopes for a 1-0 win.

Those hopes were denied shortly after.

Salem scored a run of its own in the bottom of the frame to stay alive and send it into another extra inning.

And that’s where the Lady Dragons sealed it.

With Kenzie Owens on second base because of extra-inning rules to begin the ninth inning, the Lady Greyhounds later committed an error that allowed her to score the go-ahead run. Two fielder’s choices later hit by Fike and Ali Pierce increased the Lady Dragons’ lead to 4-1, which is where it would stand.

Brailey Tefteller and Anna Mccrary led Genoa Central with two hits each. In the circle, Fike struck out three, walked one, and allowed four hits in nine innings of work.

Genoa Central plays Lincoln on Friday, with the first pitch slated for 5:30 p.m. The winner of that series will advance to the state semifinals to play either Dewitt or Harding Academy.

MELBOURNE 3, FOUKE 0

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. — Melbourne scattered eight hits and took advantage of four Fouke errors en route to a 3-1 victory in the first round of the Class 3A state tournament on Thursday at Jackie Robinson Field at Majestic Park.

With the loss, the Lady Panthers are eliminated.

Laynie Richardson and Olivia Morrow had both of Fouke’s hits in the loss.