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The Shelby County Wildcats continued their strong offensive play at this year’s Class 5A Central Regional tournament, but it wasn’t enough to advance to state. (Reporter photo/Alec Etheredge)

By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Publisher

MONTGOMERY – The Shelby County Wildcats put together another strong offensive showing at this year’s Class 5A Central Regional tournament, scoring 12 runs in two games, but the Wildcats ultimately fell in back-to-back games to Tallassee and John Carroll to see the 2024 season come to an end.

The Wildcats scored seven in game one against Tallassee but gave up 14, while they scored five against John Carroll but gave up 17.

In the opening game of the tournament, the Wildcats fell into a 6-0 hole early, but they didn’t give in.

Shelby County came right back with four runs in the bottom of the fourth to draw within two.

Tallassee, however, responded with five in the top of the fifth, and that became too much for the Wildcats to overcome.

The Tigers then added three more insurance runs in the top of the seventh, and while the Wildcats came back with three in the home half, it wasn’t enough in a 14-7 loss that sent them to the loser’s bracket.

Faith Owens and Caitlan Bland each had two RBIs on one hit in the loss, while Madison Tolleson added a 2-for-3 game with an RBI.

That put the season on the line for the Wildcats in a matchup with John Carroll, and in similar fashion, they got off to a slow start.

The Cavaliers stormed out of the gate for a 12-0 advantage through the top of the third, which became too much to overcome.

Again, Shelby County fought back with three runs in the home half of the third, and after giving up one in the top of the fourth, scored two more in the bottom of the fourth.

That made it 13-5, but John Carroll put the Wildcats’ season on the line quickly when the Cavs scored four in the top of the fifth to take a 17-5 advantage.

Looking to avoid the run rule loss, Shelby County came to the plate hoping for some offensive success, but the Wildcats weren’t able to bring a runner home after a lead-off walk.

In the final game of the season, Tolleson led the way with two RBIs on one hit, while Bland and Aaliyah Chaisson each finished with an RBI on one hit.

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