A.J. Taylor’s three-run triple keyed a five-run rally by Russellville on Saturday as the Lady Golden Tigers came from behind to beat Curry 9-7 in their final game at the Bill Collins Classic in Carbon Hill.
Russellville (11-11 through Sunday) trailed 3-1 in the bottom of the fourth when Krista Sikes got things started with a one-out single. A walk to Emma Whitfield and a hit by Autumn Logan loaded the bases, and Kourtney Joyner drove in a run with a single to center field. After Madison Murray hit into a force play for the second out, Taylor cleared the bases and gave the Lady Golden Tigers a 5-3 lead with a triple to right. The freshman then scored on a steal of home to cap off the inning and make it 6-3.
Curry scored twice in the top of the fifth to get back within a run, but Russellville answered with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Hits by Logan, Joyner and Taylor loaded the bases, and senior Kalli Beth Daniel delivered a two-run single. Taylor then scored on an error to make it 9-5.
Curry scored two more runs in the top of the seventh, but Russellville starter Emma Whitfield was able to finish off the win.
Taylor went 3-for-4 with three RBIs, two runs scored and a stolen base. Joyner also had three of Russellville’s 13 hits, driving in a run and scoring two. Logan was 2-for-2 with three runs scored, and Sikes was 2-for-3 with a double. Daniel finished 1-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base, and Murray was 1-for-3 with a run. Alivia Clemmons also had one hit.
Whitfield pitched a complete game, allowing seven runs (just two earned) on nine hits in seven innings.
In previous action at the Bill Collins Classic:
Gordo 6 Russellville 4
Gordo broke up a tie game with a run in the fourth and another in the fifth, handing the Lady Golden Tigers a loss in their first game on Saturday.
Russellville jumped out to a quick lead in the top of the first inning when A.J. Taylor was hit by a pitch and scored on a triple by Kalli Beth Daniel. Kayla Cochran followed with an RBI single to make it 2-0.
After Gordo scored twice in the bottom of the first to tie the game, Russellville reclaimed the lead in the top of the second when Karlie Moore singled, moved to third on a double by Kourtney Joyner and then scored on Madison Murray’s bunt hit.
Gordo took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the second, but the Lady Golden Tigers tied the game 4-4 in the top of the fourth when Moore walked and scored on a single by Murray.
Murray, a freshman, finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Joyner was 2-for-2 with two doubles, and Cochran went 2-for-3. Moore was 1-for-2 with two runs scored, and Alivia Clemmons also had a hit.
Sikes took the loss in the circle, allowing four earned runs on six hits in five innings. She struck out two and walked two.
Carbon Hill 4 Russellville 1
Russellville out-hit the host Lady Bulldogs 9-7 but managed just one run in last Friday’s loss.
The Lady Golden Tigers trailed 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth before consecutive singles by Kayla Cochran, Kalli Beth Daniel and Alivia Clemmons got them on the board. Carbon Hill tacked on a run in the top of the sixth and then held on for the win.
Clemmons finished 2-for-2 with a walk, and Daniel was 2-for-3. Madison Lamon went 1-for-2 with a double, a walk and a stolen base. Cochran, A.J. Taylor, Madison Murray and Kourtney Joyner each had one hit.
Megan Warhurst started in the circle for Russellville and went three innings, allowing three runs on five hits. She struck out two and walked one. Emma Whitfield pitched the final three innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits.
Russellville 5 Cold Springs 0
Emma Whitfield threw a complete game shutout, and Russellville broke up a scoreless tie with five late runs to beat Cold Springs on Friday.
The game was tied 0-0 in the bottom of the fifth when Madison Murray reached on an infield hit and scored on Kalli Beth Daniel’s RBI double to center. Murray later added an RBI triple in a four-run sixth inning.
Whitfield pitched six innings, holding Cold Springs to three hits and striking out four. She did not issue a walk and threw 52 of her 70 pitches for strikes.
Murray went 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Daniel was 2-for-3, and Whitfield and A.J. Taylor each had a hit and scored a run.
Gordo 5 Russellville 0
The Lady Golden Tigers had just three hits in their tournament opener last Friday.
Gordo broke up a scoreless game with a run in the top of the fourth and then added four more in the sixth to put the game away.
Alivia Clemmons and Madison Lamon each had a double for Russellville, and Emma Whitfield also had one hit. Megan Warhurst pitched a complete game in the loss, allowing three earned runs on nine hits in six innings. She struck out two and walked three.
