By Charles Prince

The North Jefferson News



The Gardendale Lady Rockets fell in the decisive third game to the Hartselle Lady Tigers on Tuesday night and were eliminated from the sub-state playoffs.

Hartselle won game three, 11-6.

For Gardendale, Kayla Estes hit a three-run homer in the fourth inning and Delena Kennedy hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning, but it wasn’t enough as the Lady Tigers pounded out five home runs to win going away.

Game one –

Gardendale 5,

Hartselle 1

Lady Rocket senior Beth Erwin threw a four-hitter to led Gardendale to the win. She struck out five and walked two as she improved to 16-5.

She allowed a first inning single, a fourth inning RBI-double and singles in the fifth and seventh innings, while keeping the Lady Tiger hitters off balance.

She allowed one earned run.

Gardendale’s offense got started early, as Erwin reached on an error to lead off the bottom of the first inning. Kaitlyn Casaday then followed with a ground-rule double that bounced over the left field fence, scoring Erwin with the game’s first run.

Kendall Thomas then followed with an RBI-single to left to bring Casaday home.

Thomas moved to second on the throw attempt to the plate, was was not in time to get Casaday. Thomas then moved to third on a passed ball and scored on Kellie Johnson’s RBI-single to center field.

The Lady Rockets added one run in the second inning, when Emily Dodson reached on a fielders choice.

One out later, Casday delivered her second double of the game, plating Dodson and giving Gardendale a 4-0 lead.

After Hartselle cut the lead to 4-1 in the top of the fourth inning, Gardendale answered back with a run in the bottom of the frame.

With one out, Kayla Estes doubled to the gap in right center. She then moved to third on Dodson’s ground out to third base.

Finally, Estes came home on Erwin’s single to left field.

Casaday and Estes both went 2-for-3 in the contest.

The win upped Gardendale’s record to 27-16-1.

Game two

Hartselle 4,

Gardendale 0

Hartselle Brianna Riley threw a complete game three-hitter to pick up the win.

She struck out five and walked only two as she helped the Lady Tigers even up the series at 1-game each.

Hartselle’s Kristy Pevahouse had and RBI-double and Shelia Long smashed a solo home run.

Kendall Thomas (5-8) took the loss. Giving up two runs on no hits. She faced only four batters before being replaced with the bases loaded by Katie Argent. Thomas allowed two earned runs.

Argent allowed three hits and two earned runs.

In other action involving local teams, Scottsboro eliminated Hayden, 1-0 and 10-1.