Belgreen earns trip to state

The Belgreen Bulldogs won three out of four games in the Class 1A Central Region to earn a trip to the state tournament.

“The conditions were not ideal, and we felt like whoever could adapt would do well,” said Belgreen Coach John Smith, of the wet and rainy conditions all through regionals. “This team has worked hard and gotten better throughout the season. That is every team’s goal. Now we have to play our best softball to advance. We have to have timely hitting, and our pitchers need to hit their spots.”

Belgreen defeated Coosa Christian 7-0, Falkville 4-2 and Marion County 10-2 and lost to Appalachian 14-1 in the tournament.

In game one, Emma Dempsey pitched a five-hit shutout and struck out 12 to lead the Bulldogs past Coosa Central 7-0. She also had two hits and an RBI at the plate.

Gracie Dempsey had three hits and scored two runs. Katie Dempsey, Camie Terrell and Sydney Borden scored one run each.

Belgreen scored one in the second, three in the third, two in the fourth and one in the fifth.

In game two, Falkville took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Belgreen answered with three in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead. Falkville tied the game in the top of the fifth, but Belgreen got the win when Bailey Wood singled in Noelle Willingham in the seventh.

Wood had three hits and an RBI. Borden had two hits and two RBIs. Terrell had a double, scored a run and had an RBI.

Emma Dempsey allowed three runs and struck out nine.

Not much went right for Belgreen in game three. Appalachian scored 14 runs on 15 hits. Belgreen, however, managed one run in seven hits – two by Katie Dempsey and two by Gracie Dempsey.

Terrell was on fire at the plate in game four with four hits, including a double and home run. Terrell had five RBIs as well.

Belgreen scored six runs before the Red Raiders could get on the board. Belgreen scored 10 runs on 14 hits.

Gracie Dempsey had three hits, an RBI and a run. Wilson had two hits, two runs and an RBI.