MONTGOMERY – No. 5 Sumiton Christian defeated Straughn Friday night at the Class 3A state finals, 4-2.

The game remained tied 0-0 all the way until the fifth inning. Straughn had plenty of opportunities to score, but could not take advantage.

Earlier Friday, the Lady Tigers (33-9) beat defending Class 3A state champion Pisgah, 3-2.

Sumiton Christian 4, Straughn 2

Sumiton Christian got an early lead in the fifth inning scoring one run on an RBI single from Emily Ivey.

They added an additional three runs in the sixth inning on an RBI single from Ivey and a two-run double from Kat Warren.

Straughn coach Ray Wilson said the loss against Christian was due to “errors.”

“We just made a few errors and that cost us,” Wilson said. “We just left too many runners on base. We had an inning there we could have taken the lead, but we didn’t do it when we had runners on base. So, that’s what it boiled down to really.”

Straughn scored two runs in the seventh inning when Katy Messick hit a two-run single to score Kayla Messer and Kelli Wilcox.

Ivey earned the win on the mound pitching 7.0 innings, allowing 10 hits, two runs, two walks and striking out nine.

Sumiton Christian’s Sam Englebert was 2-for-4 with two singles; Ivey was 2-for-3 with two singles and two RBIs; and Warren was 2-for-3 with two singles and two RBIs.

Straughn will play Dadeville today at 9 a.m. on Field No. 3 at Lagoon Park.

“We’ve got to play defense and hit the ball with runners on bases,” Wilson said. “Now, your back is against the wall because if you lose, you go home. We’ve been there before so maybe we’ll bounce back and battle through (today).”

Straughn 3, Pisgah 2

Down 2-0 in the fourth inning, No. 4 Straughn scored three runs to clinch the win over Pisgah.

Kayla Messer started the inning with a triple and Katy Messick then hit an RBI single to bring home Messer.

With one out, Kayla Teel hit an RBI triple to score Messick to tie the game up 2-2.

With Teel on third base, Tiffany Taylor knocked an RBI double to left field.

Kaitlynn Wiggins earned the win for the Lady Tigers pitching 7.0 innings allowing three hits and striking out six.

Wiggins and Messick were both 2-for-3 at the plate.