RCHS qualifies for regional with wins in area tournament

The RCHS Lady Tigers won their first two games of the 2A, area 10 softball tournament in Ranburne, punching their ticket to the 2A regionals and moving themselves within one win of a second consecutive area title.

The wins gave RCHS a five-game winning streak and pushed the team’s overall record above .500 for the first time this season at 20-18. 

RCHS 7, Woodland 2

The Tigers opened the tournament Monday with a 7-2 win over Woodland.

RCHS got four runs in the first inning and tacked on three more in the third.

Woodland scored twice in the fourth, but that was the only rally that the Bobcats could muster.

Joie Smith pitched a complete game for RCHS, allowing five hits and two earned runs while striking out five.

Emma Prestridge went 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBI for RCHS. Anna Gordan went 2-for-2 with two RBI, and Tramya Bailey added a 1-for-4 performance with a triple and a run scored.

The loss knocked Woodland into the loser’s bracket and put them one loss away from elimination, while RCHS advanced to the second round to take on top-seeded Ranburne.

RCHS 5, Ranburne 1

Tramya Bailey hit a two-run home run in a three-run first inning as RCHS built a 4-0 lead over Ranburne Monday before rain postponed the remainder of the game until Tuesday afternoon.

When play resumed in the fifth inning Tuesday, RCHS closed the door, proceeding to a 5-1 win and assuring themselves of at least a top two finish in the area.

Bailey finished the game 1-for-3 with three RBI. Megan Moore went 2-for-4 at the plate for RCHS, while Emma Prestridge finished 1-for-3 with a double.

Joie Smith once again claimed the victory on the mound. She recorded seven strikeouts and no walks while allowing just one run in the complete game win.

The tournament concluded Tuesday night after press time. RCHS played the winner of the Woodland-Ranburne elimination game to determine the area champion.

The top two teams from each area advance to the regional tournament. RCHS will play in the North Central Regional in Tuscaloosa beginning May 12.