By Charles Prince

The North Jefferson News



JASPER —Former Mississippi State head football coach Jackie Sherrill once said, “if a dog is going to bite you, he’ll do it as a pup.”

As if proving the saying true, a young Fultondale Lady Wildcats squad showed they’ve got plenty of bite as they whipped larger schools and ranked teams on their way to the third place trophy at the Dora Invitational in Jasper on Saturday.

The Lady ‘Cats, who feature two eighth graders, six freshman, two sophomores, two juniors and only one senior, whipped 5A Curry and staged a rousing comeback from four runs down against No. 3-ranked, 2A state power Addison in elimination play.

The young club, which improved to 19-6, may have grown up along the way.

Fultondale 9,

Curry 8

The ‘Cats shocked the 5A Lady Jackets behind strong games from the first three batters in the line up.

Cadi “Boo” Oliver went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI. Britani “Peppie” Howell walked three times and scored three runs and catcher Haley Hill went 3-for-3 with four RBIs.

Shelbi Smith had a hit and a run scored and Chelsey McCombs went 1-for-1 with an RBI and a run scored.

Smith picked up the win. She allowed only four earned runs and struck out five.

Fultondale 8,

Addison 5

The Lady ‘Cats trailed 5-1 entering the last half of the sixth inning, but they exploded for seven runs to grab the win.

Riane Estes opened the inning with a single, followed by Monica Roscoe’s single. Camden “Bullet” Marrs then walked, loading the bases.

The rally looked like it might end, as two Lady ‘Cats struck out, but Oliver then singled to center, scoring two runs.

Howell then doubled to the gap in right, scoring both Marrs and Oliver and tying the game at 5-all.

Hill then doubled Howell home. Hill then came home on Shelbi Smith’s double. Estes then had her second hit of the inning, as she brought home Smith with a single.

Oliver (7-2) threw a complete game six-hitter and struck out nine, while allowing only three earned runs.

Fultondale 9,

Parrish 2

Oliver (8-2), threw four innings of two-hit shutout ball and stuck out six, as she picked up the win.

Marrs then threw the final three innings, allowing two runs and striking out six.

At the plate, Estes, Smith and Oliver all went 2-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI.

Marrs had one hit and one RBI. Megan Westbrook had one hit and scored one run.

Molly Brown went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and one RBI.

Hill had one hit and scored one run. Howell had one hit, scored once and drove in one run.

Walker 4,

Fultondale 0

Smith (4-5) took the loss with a complete game three-hitter.

Howell, Hill and McCombs had one hit each.

Estes went 2-for-3.

Fultondale 9,

Sumiton Christian 6

In the third place game, Oliver (9-2) threw a complete game five-hitter and struck out 10. She allowed only three earned runs.

At the plate, Oliver and Howell both had one hit and scored one run.

Hill went 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Smith and Estes had one hit each.

Estes scored once. Marrs had one hit, one walk and scored twice. Westbrook had one hit.

Fultondale 2,

Locust Fork 1

On Monday night, Smith (5-5) evened up her record with a complete game five-hitter. She struck out three and walked two.

At the plate, Marrs went 2-for-3 with a stolen base. Kelsey Hubbard went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

McCombs walked and scored a run. Roscoe, Smith and Oliver had one hit each.

Tuesday games:

Dora 7,

Fultondale 3

The Lady Wildcats slipped to 19-7, as they fell on the road Tuesday night.

Oliver (9-3), took the loss, throwing six innings of six-hit ball. She struck out eight and allowed three earned runs.

Howell and Brown had one hit and scored one run each.

Smith had one hit and one RBI.

Marrs had one hit and scored one run.

Oliver had two hits, including a triple.

The Lady Wildcats will host the 2A, Area 11 tournament starting this Saturday at 11 a.m. at the fields next to the new Fultondale Elementary School.

Fultondale will face Victory-Christian at 11 a.m., followed by the winner meeting Ohatchee.