By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

The Chelsea High School softball team defeated Shelby County 4-3 to capture the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 5A, Area 7 tournament championship May 4.

Chelsea scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to overcome a two-run deficit.

Alex Osborn led the Hornets offensively as she finished 2-for-4 at the plate. Osborn drove in one run in the victory.

Kacie Craft finished 2-for-4 at the plate and drove in one run. Jo Jo Johnston finished 2-for-4 at the plate. Allie Luster finished 2-for-4 at the plate. Erin Jones went 1-for-4 at the plate with a double and drove in one run.

Caitlin Bice went 1-for-3 at the plate. Jordan Gray drove in one run in the win.

Bice, who earned the win in the circle, struck out two batters in two innings in relief. Craft struck out three batters in five innings.

Brianna Buie led the Wildcats offensively as she finished 2-for-3 at the plate with a triple and drove in one run.

Kaitlyn Paschall finished 1-for-3 at the plate with a double and drove in one run. Jaselyn Harrison finished 1-for-2 at the plate. Chrystin Goodwin went 1-for-3 at the plate.

Anna Couch, who took the loss, struck out three batters in a complete game.

The Hornets defeated Shelby County 12-0 in the first meeting between the two teams in the Class 5A, Area 7 tournament.

Osborn led Chelsea offensively with three doubles in the win. Osborn also drove in two runs.

Maygen Boaz, who also had a double, drove in a team-high three runs. Gray also finished with a double.

Craft, who earned the win in the circle, struck out one batter in a five-inning complete game.

Courtney Shields, Ashlyn Blackerby, Buie and Harrison led the Wildcats with a base hit each.

Paschall, who took the loss, finished with two strikeouts in a complete game.

Chelsea defeated Sylacauga 13-3 in its tournament opener.

Boaz led the Hornets offensively with a triple. Amanda Mock and Luster each added a double.

Osborn, who earned the win in the circle, finished with five strikeouts in a complete game.