LOCAL ROUNDUP: Returning to form

By Justin Graves
jgraves@cullmantimes.com

May 05, 2008 11:58 pm

— BLOUNTSVILLE — Wayne Murphy doesn’t have to remind his team about what’s at stake today.
According to the J.B. Pennington High softball coach, the Lady Tigers have had this date circled on their calenders all season.
Pennington hosts Mars Hill in a best-of-three sub-state series today at 2 p.m., with the winner advancing to the second round.
“This is a day everyone on our team has circled for a long time,” said Murphy, whose team advanced to the Class 2A state championship game last year. “They know what’s at stake, and our players know we’re going to get everyone’s best. We’re not hiding in the back anymore.”
Heading into the season, dominant pitching was supposed to be Pennington’s strength. But thanks to the injury bug, the Lady Tigers’ top two pitchers — Alise Altman and Jessica Graves — have been unable to throw much during the second half of the season.
Altman was able to return to the mound during the Area 14 tournament last week, and Murphy hopes to use his senior more today.
“Alise is ready to pitch,” he said. “Jessica is still questionable, but Alise is ready to go. Shae South has done a great job while those two were out, so we could always go with her, too.”
• Addison shooting for seventh straight: Addison begins its quest for a seventh-straight appearance in the state softball tournament today. The Class 2A, third-ranked Lady Bulldogs host Fyffe in a best-of-three sub-state series today at 2 p.m.
According to Addison coach Jeff Scott, his team is taking the postseason one round at a time.
“We’re just trying to get past Fyffe right now,” Scott said. “All the teams in that area are good, so we’re just trying to make it to Friday.”
If Addison advances past Fyffe, the Lady Bulldogs will play the winner of the Pennington-Mars Hill game.
• Wallace State wins pair: The Lady Lions opened the ACCC tournament with a pair of wins.
Wallace beat Jeff State 4-0 Monday, while the Lady Lions defeated Faulkner 2-0 Sunday.
Holli Hill recorded the win against Jeff State. She struck out six while allowing two hits.
Rachael Baucom went 3-for-3 for Wallace, while Lacy Kerr, Hannah Strength, Jena Franks, Sally Beth Birch and Sarah Wilson all had one hit each.
Jennifer Sexton recorded the win against Faulkner. She struck out six while allowing two hits.
Strength had a double, while Baucom had a pair of singles. Birch also had a single.