Cold Springs’ McKinnley Davis takes a mighty rip — resulting in an RBI hit to center field — during Thursday’s area tournament bout versus Addison. Davis made her first appearance for the Eagles after returning from ACL surgery.

COLD SPRINGS — The first frame of Thursday’s game against Addison served as a bit of a microcosm for Cold Springs’ softball squad.

Three passed balls, two errors and one hit by pitch in the blunder-filled inning led to a pair of Bulldog runs and a quick deficit for the home team.

It turned out be the difference.

Cold Springs surrendered two more unearned runs later in the matchup and ultimately dropped a 7-5 affair to Addison in the second round of the Class 2A, Area 14 Tournament.

The defeat sets up do-or-die matchup against Falkville Friday at 11 a.m. A win would secure the Blue and Gold a place in next week’s North Regional in Huntsville and rematch with the Bulldogs, while another loss would spell the end for Patrick West’s group.

“The first inning was bad,” said the coach, whose club fell to 16-9-2 this spring. “Gave up two big runs and dug ourselves a hole. I was very proud that we came back, but we did the same thing again later on. Addison is a real good team. Every time we made a mistake, they made us pay for it.”

Trailing 3-0, the Eagles finally got on the board in the fourth thanks to a couple of defensive miscues by Addison. McKinnley Davis, who made her return just four months removed from ACL surgery, then tied things up in short order with a sharp single to center field.

The senior finished the day, which included a 6-2 win against Tanner earlier, with two hits, the RBI and a couple of hard-hit balls.

“It was really good to be back out there,” Davis said. “I missed playing on the field with my teammates so much. I’ve been supporting them, but it’s just different being out there. My knee felt really good.”

So, too, did Addison’s bats.

Singles by Ragen Yarbrough and Anna Tuggle, as well as a wild pitch by Cold Springs’ Rilee White, allowed the Dawgs to regain a 5-3 cushion following a wacky fifth inning.

Taylor Erb (home run) and Jessica Benton (RBI single) made it 7-3 with big hits in the sixth before a two-run homer by Taylor Payne knocked the Eagle deficit back down to two entering the final inning.

Unfortunately, a stout liner off the bat of Hanna Wilson made way for a game-ending double play for Addison.

“We’ve got to come out focused tomorrow,” Davis said. “We were very loose this morning when we won. But before this game, it was different I think. Let’s just go be normal and go nuts. We’re going to win tomorrow.”

Added West: “I told the girls not to dwell on today’s mistakes. We can’t do that at this time of the year. We’ve got to be ready tomorrow because our season is on the line.”

In Cold Springs’ opening victory over Tanner, White knocked out a pair of two-run homers while striking out seven batters in a two-hit complete game performance.

Payne (RBI), Davis (RBI) and Emily Williams also had hits.