It was a tough outing for the Shelby County Wildcats in the opening round of the AHSAA Class 5A State Championships, losing to Hayden 12-0.

The Wildcats could muster just two hits, as Hayden pitcher Caitlyn Kirkland was perfect through three innings of play. The first Wildcat to reach was  Brittany Landsford on a double in the fourth.

Shelby County held the other Wildcats to just five runs through the fifth, but Hayden exploded for seven runs in the sixth to end the game early.

Landsford and Brianna Buie had the two hits for the Wildcats. Kaitlyn Paschall had four strikeouts.

The Wildcats will now move to an elimination game against Southside of Gadsden at 7 p.m. Check shelbycountyreporter.com for more updates.