GOOD HOPE – A dramatic finish completed the first day of the Good Hope Softball Invitational Friday evening.
MaKailey Speegle dropped a bunt just fair down the third baseline near home plate with Jami Stinson sliding past the tag to give Good Hope a 4-3 thrilling win over Cold Springs.
The tournament had to be altered due to rain in the area Wednesday. Heavy rain forced a move from Good Hope City Park to the Good Hope campus and the schedule went from three games in pool play to only two.
The junior varsity segment of the tournament had to be canceled.
But five varsity games were played Friday as Good Hope started it with an 8-0 shutout of Brindlee Mountain.
A 3-0 shutout followed with Carbon Hill getting the best of Haleyville. Then in the third game, Brindlee Mountain edged Oakman 5-3.
Holly Pond played hard but gave up two runs in the final inning to Carbon Hill and lost 4-2.
That was followed by the Good Hope-Cold Springs game that started at 9:41 p.m. and ended an hour and 24 minutes later at 11:05 p.m.
Cold Springs had scored a run in the top of the seventh to break a tie when Emily Williams’ pop fly at second base was dropped. Anna Voce came in with the run to make the score 3-2 in favor of the Lady Eagles.
Good Hope tied the score on a single by Erica Woodall, driving in Annie Sterling from third base.
The Lady Raiders utilized their bunting skills in the last inning. Stinson was safe on a bunt single, Skylar Tucker sacrificed her to third on a bunt, then Speegle ended the contest with a bunted ball that was just fair by inches.
After several games Saturday morning and afternoon, the semifinals are set for 6 and 7:30 p.m. with the championship to get under way at 9 p.m.
