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Staff Reports, Madison Record
Sparkman 8, 1, 4
It took all three games, but the Lady Senators took care of Clay-Chalkville in Harvest May 11 to advance to the state tournament in Montgomery and defend their Class 6A title.
In Game 3 of the series, the teams were tied at 1-1 in the fifth inning before Sparkman loaded the bases off consecutive singles from Ciarra Garcia, Emily Daye and Britney Wagner. Amber Torres walked to plate a run and Hayden Crawford followed with a two-run single that gave Sparkman a 4-1 lead and eventual win by the same score.
Torres won Game 3 with a six-hit, five-strikeout performance. She also won the opening games of the series.
In Game 1, Torres got through the top of the first inning but rain began to fall and interrupted the Lady Senators' chance to go on offense. An hour and a half later, the game continued and Sparkman looked refreshed by the wait, scoring three first-inning runs. Daye had an RBI single and Wagner hit a two-run double in the inning.
The Lady Senators added four runs in the third inning to cruise to an easy victory. Wagner picked up another RBI single and Macie West hit a two-run double. Torres also had an RBI single.
Torres worked six innings and allowed four hits while striking out four. Abby MacKay pitched the seventh inning.
Sparkman fell in Game 2 of the series, unable to solve Clay-Chalkville starter Leah Dennard. The Lady Cougars scored five runs in the second inning on way to the series-tying victory.
Sparkman (52-9) opened the state tournament at 10:30 a.m. Thursday against Robertsdale, but the scores of that game and other state tournament games were unavailable at press time.
Madison Academy 2, 0, 6
Elkmont 1, 8, 5
The Lady Mustangs set up a return trip to the state tournament in Montgomery after winning a hard-fought series at Elkmont Saturday. Both Madison Academy victories in the series came by a single run and starting pitcher Ashley Guffey pitched all three games for the Lady Mustangs.
In the deciding Game 3, Mallory McNeal finished 2-for-2 at the plate to help lead the Lady Mustangs and Guffey worked a complete game. In the second game of the series, Sam Deep was 2-for-3 in a losing effort.
Guffey pitched a complete game gem to win Game 1 as well. Deep finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored and Courtney McDonald was 2-for-3 at the plate.
Madison Academy (31-18) opened the state tournament at 10:30 a.m. today against Marbury. Coverage of the Lady Mustangs' state performance will be in next week's issue of the Record.
