Zion Chapel, Ariton set for Softball Regional Tournament

Published 10:31 am Monday, May 6, 2024

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Both the Zion Chapel Lady Rebels and Ariton Lady Purple Cats are headed to Gulf Shores to compete in the Class 2A South Regional Softball Tournament on May 8.

Ariton faces off against Wicksburg in the first round, while Zion Chapel will play Clarke County with both games taking place at 9 a.m. on May 8. The winners will advance to the second round later in the day, while losers will also play later in the day in the double elimination tournament. Elimination games will continue on May 9 along with the championship round.

Zion Chapel comes into regionals with a 33-3 record and on a seven-game winning streak, which includes a complete sweep of the Area Tournament last week. Zion Chapel’s only regular season losses came at the hands of 3A Opp (twice) and 6A Pike Road.

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Coming into regionals, Amber Kidd leads the Lady Rebs at the plate with a .481 batting average, .534 on-base percentage and .788 slugging percentage. She’s tallied eight doubles, eight homer runs, 46 RBIs and 11 runs this season. Kennedy Hussey also boasts a .366 batting average with 10 doubles, five triples, four homers, 45 RBIs and 42 runs. Shea Wambles holds a .307 batting average with seven doubles, three triples, three homers, 30 RBIs and 42 runs.

Defensively, Kidd – the team’s catcher – boasts a perfect fielding percentage and she’s picked off 12 runners and caught eight runners stealing with a total of 263 putouts and two double plays. Wambles has a .988 fielding percentage with 80 putouts, three assists and a team-leading five double plays.

In the circle, Sydney Boothe has pitched 96 and 1/3 innings with a 17-2 record, 114 strikeouts and a 1.599 ERA. Riley Bannin also boasts a 1.647 ERA with 116 strikeouts and a 13-1 record in 85 innings pitched.

Zion Chapel and Wicksburg never faced off during the regular season.

Ariton comes into regionals with a 25-17 record after finishing runner-up in the area tournament. Beth Dixon leads the Cats with a .448 batting average along with 12 doubles, one triple, one homer, 20 RBIs and 54 runs. Lizzy Faircloth also boasts a .361 batting average with 13 doubles, five home runs, 25 runs and 46 RBIs.

Dixon has also pitched 81 and 1/3 innings with a 2.59 ERA and 67 strikeouts. Sydney Adams has 70 strikeouts with a 3.45 ERA in 77 and 1/3 innings pitched.

Ariton and Clarke County never played during the regular season.