By DREW GRANTHUM / Sports Writer

Pelham drops game against Sparkman

The Panthers got off to a rocky start, dropping their AHSAA State Softball Championships semifinal matchup against the Sparkman Senators, 10-0.

The Senators jumped out to an early lead, scoring five runs in the top of the first. They then scored a run in the second and the third, opening a 7-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third.

The Panthers simply had no answer for the Senators on either side of the ball, posting just four hits and allowing 15.

Pelham fell into the loser’s bracket following the loss, and squared off with Vestavia Hills in the loser’s bracket semifinal.

Early lead lifts Panthers to win

Pelham made up for its mistakes against Sparkman early against Vestavia, scoring four runs in the top of the first to cruise to a 5-0 lead.

Kristian Foster opened the game with a single, with Caitlyn Sapp, Maddie Walker and Emily Spain following suit. Sapp and Walker scored to open a 2-0 lead. A Reagan Curtis triple brought in Spain, and Curtis scored on a Becky Fox single.

Whitney Gillespie struck out six over four innings, earning the win. Maddie Walker led at the plate, going 2-4 with a run scored.

The Panthers advance to the State finals at 4 p.m. today, needing two wins over Sparkman to capture the 6A State Softball title.