Golden finish: RHS girls claim area victory with win over LC

The Russellville varsity softball team took first place in Class 5A, Area 15 with a 3-1 win over the Lawrence County Lady Red Devils April 9.

With the regular season area championship, RHS will now host the area tournament for the first time.

Russellville finished area play with a perfect 4-0 record, and Megan Warhurst threw a no-hitter in the clincher. She worked all seven innings against the Lady Devils and threw 107 pitches to get the win. Warhurst allowed one unearned run while walking four batters and striking out seven.

The two teams were tied at 1-1 when Jenna Whitfield brought home two runs with a single in the bottom half of the fourth inning. Lawrence County threatened to score in the seventh by loading the bases, but a ground out to first base ended the game.

“It’s awesome,” said Russellville head coach Kathryn Montgomery. “This is the first time our girls have gotten the chance to host the area tournament, so they’re absolutely pumped. They’ve overcome some adversity this season, and it has shown. It has shown that they’re going to be able to pull together, and if they keep that mindset of ‘team,’ I’m really excited to see what they can do.”

Whitfield and Alivia Clemmons led RHS with two hits each. Whitfield, Clemmons and Alexis Taylor scored the Russellville runs, while Madison Murray, Autumn Logan, Makala O’Neal and Taylor all added hits.

Tori Tiffin and Warhurst both reached base on walks, while Clemmons, Logan and Taylor had stolen bases.

Russellville 5, Madison County 1

A win in the first contest of the Athens Tournament April 12 brought the Russellville winning streak to five games.

Warhurst got the start in the pitching circle and gave up no hits in 2.1 innings of work. Krista Sikes came on in relief and pitched the last 4.2 innings to get the win. Warhurst struck out three and walked none, while Sikes allowed three hits and a walk. Sikes struck out two Madison County batters.

Tiffin and Whitfield both went 3-for-3 at the plate, with Tiffin picking up a double and a stolen base. Whitfield drove in two runs and scored one, while Tiffin walked once, scored twice and drove in a run.

Logan drove in the other RHS run, and she was joined by Murray, Sikes and O’Neal in the hit column. Murray was also hit by a pitch, and Clemmons reached base on a walk.

Hazel Green 7, Russellville 1

Game two of the evening went Hazel Green’s way in the Athens Tournament. Russellville fell behind 7-0 before scoring one lone run in the top of the fourth inning.

Both teams finished with seven hits, and Karlie Moore hit a home run for RHS. Tiffin added two doubles, while Murray and Clemmons also had two hits apiece.

Chalea Clemmons started the game in the circle and allowed five runs on three hits over 1.2 innings. Sikes and Warhurst followed in relief, with Sikes allowing two runs on three hits and Warhurst giving up one hit in two innings of work.

Russellville 13, Central-Florence 4

RHS traveled to Central April 15 and dominated the Wildcats, picking up 20 hits to help get the victory.

The Lady Golden Tigers (15-13) had six doubles and eight stolen bases. Russellville hits were collected by Murray, Whitfield, Logan and Warhurst, who all had three apiece. Meanwhile, Chalea Clemmons, Moore and O’Neal picked up two hits each.

Alivia Clemmons and Katie Skidmore also hit safely, while Sikes scored three runs in the winning effort.

Warhurst got the complete-game win by allowing one earned run on four hits. She threw 128 pitches, striking out six and walking five Central batters.