Caleb Suggs

Hartselle Enquirer

The Austin Lady Black Bears kept their magical season going by claiming the Morgan County championship over the weekend. The Black Bears went undefeated in the tournament and eventually won the championship by defeating Hartselle in the finals.

Hartselle took the lead first in the game. Singles by Kylie Winton, Gracie Poe and Mackenzie Jackson helped put the Tigers up 1-0. Kaitlyn Spangler added another single to score Jackson, which put the Tigers up 2-0.

Austin got back in the game in the bottom of the second inning. Kelsey Self and Peyton Perkins got on first and third thanks to a walk and an error. Another error allowed Self to score, and then Perkins and Asia Garth later scored on passed balls to put the Black Bears up 3-2. Austin added another run in the third thanks to an RBI sacrifice ground out from Perkins.

Hartselle answered in the fourth when Kalli Cartee hit a solo shot to cut the lead to 4-3. However, that was the last run the Tigers could get. Austin added one more run in the fifth and the Black Bears went on to take the win 5-3.

Erin Claborn got the win on the mound for the Black Bears. She gave up five hits and three runs with three strikeouts in a complete game performance. Claborn credits her teammates fro helping her deliver the final three outs to win the game. “This weekend is the way I want to remember my senior year,” Claborn said. “Yes we won six games and defeated Hartselle for the championship, but what I’ll remember most is the support of my teammates when we needed those last three outs to win.” Kelsey Self led the Bears with two hits while Brylee Yarbrough finished with two RBIs.

Morgyn Sparkman took the loss for the Tigers. She gave up four hits and five runs with three strikeouts.