RHS softball gets season off to winning start

The Russellville varsity softball team got the 2022 season underway with a trio of games and got the year off to a winning start with a 2-1 record.

Decatur was the opponent for opening day, and the Lady Golden Tigers fell to the Red Raiders by a 1-0 score Feb. 24.

Summer Butler’s double was the only RHS hit. Butler, Jenna Whitfield and Maddy Green reached base via walks, and a fielder’s choice allowed Natalie Nichols to get on base for Russellville.

Jacey Moore got the start in the circle for the Lady Golden Tigers, and she pitched all seven innings. Moore struck out 12 batters, didn’t walk any and gave up seven hits.

Head coach Josh Graham’s team participated in the Decatur Tournament at Wilson Morgan Park Friday before weather canceled games Saturday.

Russellville defeated Danville by an 11-3 score in a three-inning contest to get things going. Whitfield and Moore had two hits each, while Butler, Melissa Aparisio and Nichols also hit safely.

RHS got two RBIs each from Butler, Moore and Aparisio. Meanwhile, Emma Campbell, Green and Nichols also plated runs.

Doing the pitching for the Lady Tigers was the duo of Tori Tiffin and Addison Holcomb. Tiffin went 2.2 innings, and Holcomb stuck out one and walked one.

Russellville finished at the top of pool-play with a 10-0 three-inning win over Randolph School.

Paislee James pitched for RHS and stuck out four. Aparisio was two-for-two and hit the first home run of the season for her team and had three RBIs.

Holcomb tripled. Also picking up extra-base hits for the Lady Golden Tigers were Tiffin with three doubles and Whitfield with two. Additional hits for RHS came from Butler, Campbell, Green, Moore and James. Jaiden Calvert also helped the cause with a run scored.