Season begins for RHS softball with trip to Auburn

The Russellville Lady Golden Tigers traveled to Auburn to open the 2021 varsity softball season and came away with a win in four games.

RHS started things off Feb. 26 with an 8-0 loss to Elmore County. Seven errors were costly for the Lady Golden Tigers.

Kailee Simpson got the start in the circle, and she pitched four innings. She allowed four runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six.

Jacey Moore followed in relief, and she gave up four unearned runs and allowed two hits.

Jenna Whitfield had the lone RHS hit, and she also walked once and stole a base. Moore stole a base and was hit by a pitch.

Later that night, head coach Josh Graham’s Russellville team got a 6-1 victory over Auburn High. Simpson was dominant in the circle this time, going six innings and allowing one run on three hits. She struck out nine and walked two.

Whitfield was perfect at the plate, going 3-for-3. She scored twice and stole a base. Fallin Cox had two hits and two RBIs and also stole a base.

Emma Hubbert walked twice and was hit by a pitch. She had two RBIs and scored a run in the win.

Natalie Nichols added an RBI, a run scored and a steal. Maddy Green helped the RHS cause with a hit and a stolen base.

Saturday Russellville started with a 9-5 loss to Wetumpka. Hits and runs for RHS came from Moore, Green, Cox and Hubbert. Whitfield walked twice, stole a base and scored a run.

Moore was the starting pitcher, and she allowed nine runs – with six of them being earned – over four innings. Paislee James came on in relief and pitched two innings.

RHS finished the two-day event with an 8-3 loss to Central-Phenix City.

Kailee Simpson pitched and allowed four earned runs on four hits. She struck out four but walked seven, throwing 123 pitches over five innings.

Green had two hits, while Moore, Whitfield and Jaiden Calvert had one each. Green and Moore picked up the Russellville RBIs.