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Jordan Walters
Photo by Kyle Thornton

Tigers miss state tourney by one win

By Michael Butler

The Tallassee Tigers were one win away from advancing to Montgomery's Lagoon Park for the state tournament, but the best season in THS softball history ended with a 7-0 defeat to Rehobeth in Gulf Shores.

The Tigers finished the 2019 campaign with a 44-9 record.

Tallassee went 3-2 in the Class 5A South Regional and had to fight through the losers' bracket after losing the opener to Faith Academy 3-1 on Friday. They did just that, making it to the bracket final.

Head coach Pat Love reached 100 wins in just his third season this year.

"We had a great season," Love said. "It didn't end up the way we wanted, but it was a good experience for our team. We had great leadership and had girls step up and fill some big roles this year."

Against Faith Academy in the Tigers' first game on Friday, Tallassee's only run came when Ella Thrash tied the game at 1-1 in the third after Chloe Baynes reached first on a throwing error. The game remained tied until Faith hit a two-run homer in their final at-bat in the top of the seventh.

Tallassee jumped out to an early lead in its second game vs. Citronelle on Friday evening and never looked back in a 13-4 win. Baynes, Bell Haynes and Jordan Walters had three hits each for Tallassee.

On Saturday morning, Tallassee opened the day with a 16-0 win vs. Charles Henderson, scoring in all four innings with run- rule win. Haynes, Baynes and Lumpkin had three hits apiece. Lexi Love hit a grand slam.

The Tigers avenged their loss to Faith in the rematch with a 7-0 win. Baynes had three hits in the game. Anslee Osborne hit a two-run homer.

In the 7-0 loss to Rehobeth, the Tigers were limited to just four hits as a team. Avary Lumpkin, Jordan Walters, Baynes and Osborne had one hit each.

Tallassee loses just one senior in Madelyn Martin, so expectations are that the Tigers will be back next year.

"We ended up with 44 wins which was the most ever," Love said. "This year will be a stepping stone for us. I'm very proud of this team and the direction they have us going. The future is bright."

2019 Results