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On Tuesday, the Zion Chapel Lady Rebels won the Class 2A, Area 4 Championship defeating Luverne in the championship round.

The day started off with the Pike Liberal Arts Lady Patriots defeating Goshen in an elimination game. Gracie Smith led PLAS at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs, while Alissa Barron went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Yaley McLendon also went 2-for-3 with a run. Barron pitched four innings and struck out four batters, while giving up one hit and no earned runs. Mary Stephens also struck out two batters and gave up no hits or runs in one inning in the circle.

Goshen’s Anna Granados scored the lone Lady Eagle run. Jayci Rushing pitched four and 2/3 innings.

Next, PLAS faced Luverne in another elimination game with the Lady Tigers coming out on top 11-9. Pike trailed 9-0 going into the fifth inning when the Lady Patriots started to rally. PLAS scored two runs in the top of the fifth but Luverne managed to score one of its own to keep the score 10-2. The Lady Patriots then added five more runs in the top of the sixth with Luverne responding with another run to take an 11-7 lead into the seventh inning. In the seventh, Pike scored two more runs to cut the lead to two but were unable to get back into scoring position.

Tera Walker went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run, while Allie Booth went 2-for-4 with a run. Mary Stephens and Haylie Brown scored two runs each, while Barron earned a double. Barron fanned two batters and gave up four hits and two earned runs in five innings pitched. Stephens also struck out one and gave up two hits and one earned run in one inning in the circle.

Zion Chapel faced off against Luverne in the championship round but the Lady Rebels went into the championship undefeated, which meant Luverne would have to beat ZCHS twice to capture the area crown. Zion Chapel needed just one more win to take area championship.

Zion Chapel shutout Luverne in the championship game, 10-0 with pitcher Riley Bannin giving up just three hits and allowing no runs with five strikeouts in five innings pitched. During the game, she earned her 300th career strikeout. At the plate, Shea Wambles went 3-for-3 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs, while Kennedy Hussey went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and a run. Amber Kidd also went 2-for-3 and Emily Rhodes scored two runs.

Zion Chapel now advances to the AHSAA 2A South Regional Softball Tournament in Gulf Shores next week. Luverne will also advance to the regional tournament as the Area 4 runner-up.