Featured image: Ider pulled their team out of the loser’s bracket to face Sumiton Christian in the State Semifinals game.
By Marla Jones, Sports Editor
marla@southerntorch.com
MONTGOMERY, Ala.— The Ider Lady Hornets fell 9-3 to Sumiton Christian in the Class 2A Softball State finals. Ider had battled thru the loser’s bracket and had to defeat Sumiton Christian twice to win the Class 2A Championship. They fell in the first game of the championship series but took home the Class 2A State Softball Runner Up trophy.
STATE Championship Series Game 1
The Lady Hornets faced Horseshoe Bend the first game of the state championship series on Thursday morning, May 19, 2016. They defeated Horseshoe Bend, 9-1 to advance to the semifinals against Mobile Christian Lady Leopards.
Horseshoe Bend and Ider was at a standstill until the bottom of the fourth, when Shelby Hawkins came across the plate making the score 1-0.
At the top of the fifth, Ider had the 2-0 advantage. The Lady Hornets scored five runs in the fifth giving them the 7-0 lead over Horseshoe Bend.
In the bottom of the sixth, Horseshoe Bend found home plate making the score 6-1.
In the seventh, the Lady Hornets turned on the heat and scored three runs to make the score 9-1.
STATE Championship Series Game 2
After nearly a 3-hour delay, Ider started their second game of the day against Mobile Christian Lady Leopards. ‘
In the first, Mobile Christian jumped to an early lead when all three batters singled bringing one across the plate for the first score making the score 1-0.
In the second, Ider scored to tie the game with a double by Morgan Flynn to bring home the tying run. The score was tied 1-1. In the fifth, Ider scores two to make the score 3-1.
Kayla Norman received her 25th win of the season from the mound. The final for the game. Ider would then play their third game on Friday against Sumiton Christian at 10:30.
STATE Championship Series Game 3
The Ider Hornets faced Sumiton Christian on Friday, May 20, 2016. In the top of the sixth, they trailed 1-0 in the sixth and was put into the loser's bracket when they were defeated 5-2. They would face G.W. Long in their next game.
STATE Championship Series Game 4 and 5
The Ider Lady Hornets defeated G.W. Long to come out of the loser’s bracket and to face Sumiton Christian in the state semifinals. Since they had been beat once in the series, they had to win both games against Sumiton Christian to bring home the blue trophy.
Ider cashed in on a run first by a drive by Kaylon Brown to bring home Savannah Hood.
Sumiton took the lead advantage in the third scoring two runs. Ider quickly answered back with two runs giving the Lady Hornets the one point advantage.
In the fifth, Sumiton added a run to tie the game, 3-3.
The game remained at a standstill until the seventh inning when Sumiton Christian scored six runs, to win the game 9-3.
The Lady Eagle finished as State runner-up for the second year in a row. They will lose four seniors this year.
Four of Ider players were named to the All-Tournament Team; Senior Kayla Norman, Senior Mackenzie Hughes, Junior Shelby Hawkins and Sophomore Crystal McElhaney.
