By Sam Poe
Monday, May 12, 2014 | 11:05 AM
https://hbtv.us/news/?story_id=2118
The Lady Lions of Haleyville High School have secured placement in the Elite 8 for a chance to defend their back-to-back Class 4A State Softball Championship title. The Lady Lions completed the North Regional Tournament in Huntsville Friday and Saturday as Qualifier 1 of the region.
In the first game Friday morning, Haleyville faced Pope John Paul II High School. The Lady Lions defeated the Falcons 15-0 in three innings. The Lady Lions were led by eighth grade pitcher, Courtney Eddy.
Next, the Lady Lions defeated the Wildcats from Central High School. Senior standout pitcher, Holly Ward, occupied the mound for the Lady Lions. The Lions secured the 8-2 win to remain in the winners' bracket for Day 2 of regional play.
With another early morning game Saturday, the Lady Lions had to prepare for a long battle. Haleyville faced Wilson in the winners' bracket championship match, and the game proved to be nothing less than competitive. Ward again pitched for Haleyville, and after ten grueling innings, the Lady Lions secured their trip to Montgomery with a huge hit from Lauren Belcher to score the winning run in Tori Pendley.
The Lady Lions will face Oak Grove Friday at 10:30 a.m. in the first game of the Class 4A Alabama High School State Softball Tournament in Montgomery. This will be the Lady Lions' fourth trip in a row to the State Tournament.