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By TYLER RALEY | Staff Writer

GARDENDALE – Stepping into the weekend trying to bounce back from three straight losses, the Oak Mountain Eagles did everything they needed to to rattle off six straight wins and leave the Rocket Invitational as champions.

The Eagles took home victories against the Oakman Wildcats, Athens Golden Eagles, Hamilton Aggies, Mortimer Jordan Blue Devils, Hewitt-Trussville Huskies and Gardendale Rockets on their way to taking home the crown on Saturday, Feb. 22.

The festivities kicked off on Friday, Feb. 21 with a dominating 14-2 win over Oakman, one that saw Oak Mountain take charge early and often. The Eagles scored six runs in the first inning and eight runs in the second inning, starting 1-0 with a mercy-rule win.

Kelsey Crain pitched all three innings in this game, giving up two runs on two hits, while striking out six and walking three. Anna DuBose and Rylie Redden each racked up three RBI on the day, showing off their production early.

Oak Mountain’s second contest against Athens was much tighter, but saw it take control late in order to put away a 4-2 victory.

Marian Cummings got the scoring going in the bottom of the second inning with the team’s first home run of the tournament on a ball that sailed over the wall in center field. The Eagles were up 1-0 just like that.

The Golden Eagles from Athens responded quickly however. After a lead-off walk and a passed ball, Athens scored on a dropped third strike and an error, tying this game up 1-1. Later in the inning with a runner on third, a sacrifice bunt scored a second run in, giving Athens the lead.

Oak Mountain did not let that lead last for long though. Redden led the bottom of the third inning off with a triple and scored on a single from Bella Williams. Later, DuBose and Brooke Monosky loaded the bases with singles of their own, before another single from Cummings got the lead back to the Eagles. Ella Carrillo then hit a fourth straight single, helping Oak Mountain to a 4-2 lead and eventually, the win.

Cummings earned the win in game two, giving up two runs on no hits, punching out seven and walking three in three innings of work.

The Eagles came back the next day to face Hamilton, and walked out with a 7-3 win off of another late surge.

Oak Mountain kicked things off in the bottom of the second inning with a two-out solo home run off the bat of Carrillo, making it 1-0 early.

The Eagles made more noise again in the bottom of the fourth, scoring six runs in the frame. The scoring party was capped off by Sheridan Andrews, as with the bases loaded and two outs, she hit a line drive to right field and cleared the bases after an error was made. Suddenly, it was 7-0, which was all they needed as they eventually won 7-3.

Sophia Williams earned the win in game three, not giving up any runs or hits while striking out two and walking one in four innings of action.

The Eagles then took on and put together a dominant performance against Mortimer Jordan, walking away as victors in a 19-1 blowout with 14 runs in the first inning and five runs in the second.

Cummings tallied her second victory in the circle, pitching two shutout, no-hit innings while striking out three Blue Devils in the process.

The Eagles carried that momentum into their fifth game of the tournament against a formidable Hewitt-Trussville team and capitalized on it, pulling off a 5-1 win.

Oak Mountain took control of this one early, as after a lead-off double from Williams in the bottom of the first, Andrews stepped up to the plate and delivered a two-run home run to right field, putting her squad up 2-0 early. Later, with the bases loaded, Emma McGregor grounded out to second base, but drove in a run in the process to make it a 3-0 game.

The Eagles did not let that offensive power slip in the bottom of the second. After Redden led the inning off with a triple and Williams drew a walk, Andrews sliced a double out to center field, scoring both runners and increasing the lead to 5-0.

The Huskies put up one run in the top of the fourth off of a sacrifice fly, but could not do anything more as Oak Mountain secured the 5-1 win.

Crain gained her second win on the invitational, going the distance and giving up just one run on two hits and walking one batter as well.

The Eagles took the field for their final game on a cold Saturday night to face Gardendale on its home field, but capped off a stellar week with another 5-1 win.

The Rockets took an early lead in the top of the first with a sacrifice bunt that scored a runner from second, making it 1-0.

Oak Mountain commanded the rest of the game however on the defensive side of the ball and eventually provided some insurance with an offensive explosion in the bottom of the third. After two consecutive singles put runners on first and third, DuBose hit a single of her own to right field to make it 2-1. Cummings later punctuated the tournament with a three-run home run to center field, extending things to 5-1 and helping the Eagles leave Gardendale as champions.

Cummings also earned her third win in the circle with three innings of shutout ball, only giving up one hit and striking out four.

Oak Mountain leaves the weekend sitting at 8-4 overall and takes the field next on Tuesday, Feb. 25, when they will face the Chilton County Tigers on the road at 4:30 p.m. at Chilton County High School.