Members of the 2006 Junior Varsity Lady Tiger Softball Team, who captured the Limestone County Tournament Championship, include, from left, front row, Megan Honea, Krystal Thornton, Callie Bryant, Cherri Berry, Shelby Goldsmith, Emily Faulkner; back row, Kelsey Gilbert, Amanda Ellis, Callie Steadman, Head Coach Mike Jackson; Kayla Thompson, Kelsey Turner, Assistant Coach Tony Slayton; Nikki Clark, Brittany Miles and Megan Brown. (photo by Jennifer King)

Junior Varsity Lady Tigers Win County Championship

The Junior Varsity Lady Tigers Softball Team swept through the county tournament last weekend at Elkmont. Ardmore defeated West Limestone 5-0 on Friday night, and picked up a 10-2 victory over the home standing Elkmont Lady Devils on Monday.

Impressive defense, excellent pitching, and outstanding batting were key factors in the Lady Tigers’ victories during the tournament. The Lady Tigers ended their season with an awesome record of 16-5.

Ardmore 5

West Limestone 0

Lady Tiger Krystal Thornton is safe at the plate during Ardmore’s win over Elkmont. (photo by Jennifer King)

.Ardmore took a 2-0 lead over West in the bottom of the first inning on Friday. Megan Brown reached base on a walk, followed by a single from Kelsey Turner. Both runners scored when Cheri Berry reached second base on an error.

The Lady Tigers picked up two more runs in the bottom of the third inning. Brown led off with a single to left field, followed by a double from Turner that scored Brown. Turner later scored on a single hit by Megan Honea.

Ardmore took a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Lady Tigers kept West from scoring in the top of the fifth, to take home a victory. Callie Bryant hit a triple for Ardmore and scored on a passed ball at home.

Kelsey Gilbert pitched a one hitter for Ardmore, as well as striking out seven batters, and walking zero. Megan Honea was the catcher.

Ardmore took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning against Elkmont in the championship game on Monday night. Krystal Thornton led off for the Lady Tigers, reaching third base on an error and later scoring on a passed ball at home. Callie Steadman hit an in the park homerun to score Ardmore’s other run. Elkmont loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning, but was not able to execute.

The Lady Tigers picked up another run in the top of the second, when Kelsey Gilbert reached base on an error and courtesy runner, Kayla Thompson, scored on a passed ball at home.

Ardmore picked up four more runs in the top of the third, to take a 7-0 lead over Elkmont. Thornton led off with a single to left field, followed by Brown reaching base on a walk. Kelsey Turner followed with a single to score Thornton. Cheri Berry hit a ball to short stop, and reached base on an error. Gilbert hit a triple to deep right field, to score, Brown, Turner, and Berry.

Elkmont picked up their first run in the bottom of the third inning. Ursery reached base on a single and scored on a passed ball at home. The Lady Devils were unable to pick up any more runs in the inning, as they trailed 7-1.

The Lady Tigers grasped a 9-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning, as they scored two more runs. Steadman led off with a single to left field and later scored on a single hit by Megan Honea. Berry reached first base on a bunt and later scored.

The Lady Tigers made two errors in the bottom of the fifth inning, as an Elkmont runner scored. Ardmore recovered from their errors, to force Elkmont to end the inning with the bases loaded. Biggerstaff scored Elkmont’s only run, after she reached base on an error and later scored.

Ardmore added another run to the board in the top of the sixth. Krystal Thornton hit a single and later stole home. The Lady Tigers played tight defense in the bottom of the sixth and seventh inning to keep Elkmont from scoring, ending the game with a 10-2 victory.

Gilbert took the pitching win for Ardmore, striking out six batters, walking five, and permitting five hits. Callie Steadman was the catcher.