By DREW GRANTHUM / Sports Writer

Thompson takes Vestavia, 4-1, in Game 1

A big sixth inning led helped Thompson High take down the Vestavia Hills Rebels, 4-1 in the first round of the AHSAA 6A State Softball Championships.

The two squads staged a defensive contest through the first five frames, with the lone run coming when Thompson’s Ashley Deavers stole home in the top of the second.

The Warrior bats came alive in the sixth, as Deavers led off the inning with a single. Two batters later, Deavers moved to second on a Rebecca Victory single. After a Staci Roberson double, Deavers came home to make it 2-0.

Pitcher Haley Crumpton then knocked a single, as Roberson and Victory both scored on errors to pull ahead 4-0.

Crumpton kept the Rebels at bay, allowing just one run on three hits in seven complete innings. She struck out seven, and walked one, allowing just one earned run in her effort.

Sarah Beth Holdbrooks led the Warriors in hitting, going 3-4 at the plate. Deavers led in scoring, going 2-4 with two runs scored.

Errors prove costly for Thompson in Game 2

Crumpton again took to the circle against Sparkman, looking to repeat the success the Warriors had against Vestavia. Unfortunately for her and the rest of the Thompson squad, it wasn’t to be as they fell to the Senators, 3-1.

After getting the first two Sparkman batters out via groundout and strikeout, Crumpton hit Janna Korak, who then stole second. She then scored on a Jordan Bullock single, putting the Senators ahead, 1-0 in the top of the first.

The two teams then traded scoreless innings until Thompson’s Staci Roberson scored on an Ashleigh Short single, tying the game at one run apiece.

The Senators answered back, scoring two runs in the top of the sixth on a passed ball and a overthrow from second.

The two runs were the difference, as THS couldn’t muster a comeback in the last two innings to fall into the loser’s bracket.

“Just got to play one game at a time,” said Coach Jake Parker. “It’s a one game season. We have to play together, and play for each other, play with pride and refuse to lose. It’s as simple as that.”

The Warriors will now take on Baker in a single elimination game at 7 p.m.