Lady Bobcats sweep way to state tourney

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, May 15, 2018

The Opp Lady Bobcats came away with a 10-4 win over Geneva on Saturday to clinch the 2018 Class 3A South Regional championship in Gulf Shores.

Graceanne Spears started the game strong and struck out two batters in the top of the first inning.

In the bottom of the first inning, Maggie Short got the Lady Bobcats rolling with a single to start the frame.

Short quickly stole second base and then came around to score on a single from Loryn Praytor.

Praytor didn’t stay on the base paths long as Ariyon Hightower ripped a double to score Praytor.

The Lady Bobcats took a 3-0 lead when Spears drove in Hightower with a single.

Geneva got on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning when a two-out hit plated a pair of runs.

In the top of the fifth inning, Geneva plated two more runs to go on top 4-3.

Short got things going for the Lady Bobcats with a double to start the bottom of the fifth inning.

Short used her speed to quickly steal third and then score off of an error that allowed Praytor to score to tie the game.

Praytor stole second and then moved to third when Spears singled.

The Lady Bobcats then grabbed the lead when Anna Beth Kendrick drove in Praytor and Spears.

Opp went on top 8-4 when Emily Wismer drove in Peyton Brown and Graci Kidd with a single.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, L.L. Short doubled home Hightower and Spears to put the Lady Bobcats up 10-4.

Opp held off Geneva in the top of the seventh to claim the 2018 Class 3A South Regional championship.

The Lady Bobcats will face Prattville Christian on Thursday in the opening round of the Class 3A state tournament in Montgomery at 10:45 a.m.