From Staff Reports

The Selma Times-Journal

 

The Lowndes Academy Lady Rebels made a remarkable run through some tough conditions to earn a berth in the state championship game this past weekend at the AISA Junior High State Softball Championship.

The Lady Rebels opened play against defending champion, Glenwood School defeating the Lady Gators in a 13-3 mercy rule game.

Lowndes Academy then advanced to the winners’ bracket match-up with rival Marengo Academy, a team the Lady Rebels beat earlier in the season to win their own tournament. But the Lady Longhorns would get the best of Lowndes Academy this time, winning 10-1.

The loss dropped the Lady Rebels into the losers’ bracket for Saturday morning’s games.

Lowndes Academy would defeat Morgan Academy 9-3 before the tough conditions came… rain and wind. Saturday evening’s games were postponed until Sunday Morning.

On Sunday, Lowndes defeated Pickens Academy (11-3) and Marengo Academy (12-11) to advance to the championship game and the Lady Rebel’s third straight game of the day.

In the championship game, Lowndes Academy faced an undefeated Macon-East Academy with temperatures in the mid-50’s with 30 mph wind gust. The Lady Rebels trailed 2-0 until the sixth inning, in which Macon plated five runs to win the championship 7-0.

Five Lady Rebels were named to the All-Tournament team; Abby Pitts, Abby Ray, Jordan Crook, Sydney Bell and Jessica Gallardo.

“Lowndes was the only team to play six games in the tournament and three games on Sunday,” Matt Marshall, Lowndes Academy girls softball coach, said. “Macon-East played one inning to complete a game and waited on the Lady Rebels in the Championship.”

Marshall said this year’s tournament featured 12 teams from 2A (six teams) and 3A (six teams) classifications, and Lowndes was the only 2A left standing.

“We are so proud of the young ladies for the competitive nature and ability to pull together in some extreme conditions,” Marshall said.