Phil Campbell, Belgreen advance to softball regionals

By Bart Moss for the FCT

The Phil Campbell Bobcats and the Belgreen Bulldogs both advanced to softball regionals last week.

Phil Campbell finished runner up in 2A, Area 14, and the Belgreen Bulldogs finished runner-up in the 1A, Area 13. Phil Campbell will play Cold Springs in the regionals in Huntsville Friday at 3 p.m. Belgreen will play Skyline in the regionals May 12 at 1:30 p.m. The regionals are double elimination tournament.

PHOTO BY BART MOSS
Belgreen pitches to Tharptown before finishing runner-up in 1A, Area 13.

This will be the Bobcats’ first trip to the regionals since 2007.

“From the beginning of the season we knew this team would be special,” said Phil Campbell coach Doug Jackson. “The first two weeks we worked hard on conditioning and strength training to prepare our girls for a long season. We played in more tournaments this year than in years past, knowing stamina would be important down the stretch.

“Our girls have learned what it takes to be successful and keep each other accountable,” said Jackson. “I am proud of their work ethic, positive attitude and the grit they have shown.”

The Bobcats go into the regionals with a 22-16 record.

This will be the fourth consecutive year for the Belgreen Bulldogs to make the regionals, and their coach, Chris Scott, said he believes that will be a big factor.

“Our experience will play a big role,” said Scott. “They are not scared to death like they have been in the past. They are used to this experience. The moment is not too big. They have matured a lot.”

Scott said he has the right fit and right balance to make a run in the tournament.

“This is probably the best hitting team I’ve ever coached,” said Scott. “It just seems like when one gets a hit, it snowballs, and they all start hitting. We have a pitcher (Emma Dempsey) who is just an eighth grader, but she has already thrown a couple of no-hitters and a perfect game this year.”

The Bulldogs will go into the regionals with 20-8 record.