RHS softball splits four games at North Regional to end season

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The Russellville Lady Golden Tigers wrapped up the 2021 softball season with a trip to Florence to participate in the AHSAA Class 5A North Regional at Coffee O’Neal Park at the Sportsplex.

Russellville’s young squad, led by head coach Josh Graham, used experience gained from a difficult regular season schedule to improve throughout the year, and the group held strong in the postseason with a runner-up finish in the area tournament and two wins in the regional.

Ardmore 10, Russellville 1

Play got underway in the regional May 12, with RHS taking on Ardmore.

The Lady Golden Tigers opened the scoring in the first inning on a Jaiden Calvert RBI double. AHS tied it in the second and added two runs in the fourth and four in the fifth.

Kailee Simpson of Russellville had two hits to lead the team. Jenna Whitfield added a double, and teammates Maddy Green and Natalie Nichols had singles.

Jacey Moore got the start in the circle for RHS and pitched five innings before Paislee James came on in relief.

Russellville 5, Brewer 4

Facing possible elimination later May 12, RHS and Brewer put on a show in a marathon 13-inning contest.

Jaiden Calvert delivered a game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the last inning to keep RHS’ season alive.

Both starting pitchers went the distance, with Simpson throwing 191 pitches for Russellville and Bronwyn Borden throwing 218 for Brewer. Simpson struck out 16 Patriots, and Borden fanned 11.

Simpson also helped her own cause with a home run, three walks and two RBIs at the plate. Russellville’s Summer Butler went 4-for-7 with an RBI, and Calvert had three hits.

Whitfield added two hits, including a double, and Emma Hubbert also hit safely twice and drove in a run. Emma Campbell got into the hit column with a single.

Russellville 8, West Point 4

After falling to the Lady Warriors in the previous four meetings this season, Russellville got some revenge Thursday.

First-inning homers from Simpson and Calvert got the Lady Tigers on the path to victory. Calvert and Whitfield had two hits apiece, while Butler, Campbell, Nichols and Moore also had hits. The hits by Nichols and Moore were doubles.

Simpson had three RBIs, while Butler, Whitfield, Calvert, Campbell and Nichols had one RBI each. Jacey Moore pitched a complete game for RHS. She struck out eight and walked one.

Corner 6, Russellville 4

The season came to an end for RHS with a loss to the Yellow Jackets May 13 in an elimination game. Russellville (21-34) had eight hits, with Butler leading the way with three and an RBI.

Fallin Cox added a hit and two RBIs while Whitfield, Hubbert, Calvert and Nichols also had hits.

Simpson got the start and was relieved by Jacey Moore in the second inning. Simpson threw 50 pitches, and Moore worked the game’s final 5.2 innings.