west point bound for regional:

​AHSAA 5A, Area 12 softball loser's final
At Hayden High School:
Curry           0  0  0  1  1  -   2    (13-13)
West Point  3  2  5  0  2  -  12   (9-14-2)
WP: Carlie Wilkins
TIME OF GAME: 1:26
 FLASH NOTES: Wins for West Point softball in 2018 have not been as many as from the past three seasons.
 But what matters is winning in key situations, such as they did Thursday afternoon to punch a berth to the North Central Regional for the second consecutive year.
 West Point cashed in ineffective pitching by Curry, with three hurlers combining for 10 walks. The Lady Warriors accounted for more base on balls than they had in hits, a total of seven.
 Half of the 10 walks came in, with the second through fifth run a courtesy of reaching on a base on ball.
 Timely hits were displayed as Makayla Brown had a first inning sacrifice fly to score Gracie Abbott, while Hope Shedd singled in Olivia Ball and Molly Pendley who walked and a 3-0 first inning lead.
 Walks to Abbott and Ball in the second, dashed home on a long two-run single by Brown, giving West Point a 5-0 cushion.
 The third inning began with singles by Wilkins, Ava Jo Rushing and Avery McClure. Abbott collected a sacrifice fly, scoring Wilkins, Ball was intentionally walked to load the bases with one out.
 Pendley singled in Rushing while McClure was safe on a sacrifice fly by Shedd. Braelee Quinn was safe on an error to score Pendley and give the Lady Warriors a 10-0 margin to work with.
 Wilkins had allowed Curry one hit through the third when the Yellow Jackets scored on a single, two stolen bases and a wild pitch to close to 10-1.
 A pair of singles produced a run for the Yellow Jackets in the fifth, but a runner trying to advance to third was thrown out on a play from McClure in center to Quinn at second and on to Pendley covering third base.
 Brown led off the Lady Warriors' fifth with a single, Shedd was issued a walk and a walk to Quinn filled the bases with no outs.
 Wilkins grounded to the pitcher who threw to home to force out Brown. The catcher tried to complete a double play, but threw it past the first baseman and into right field.
 Shedd and Quinn were on their way to end the game at 5:20 p.m.
 Curry committed two errors that allowed West Point to score three times in being unable to keep it close after they did Tuesday in a 7-5 loss to the Lady Warriors that sent Curry to the loser's bracket.
 West Point was playing Hayden for the area championship at press time. The Lady Warriors will take part in the 5A North Central Regional next weekend at Bowers Park in Tuscaloosa. Game times and opponents will be announced later.

Photo 1: Gracie Abbott scores the 1st run for West Point vs. Curry Thursday afternoon
Photo 2: Hope Shedd singles in two in the 1st inning in West Point's 12-2 win over Curry.
Photo 3: West Point principal Heith Yearwood watching the 5A, Area 12 tournament with his daughter, Bailee, Thursday at Hayden High School.
Sportspage photos by Johnny Thornton.

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