The Eufaula Lady Ironheads (21-9) outlasted Chandler in a dramatic finish 2-1 Thursday at Chris Gawf Field in Eufaula. Eufaula and Chandler battled throughout the championship game with great pitching and outstanding infield play Eufaula got its spark when Jadence Efurd hit a walk-off double in the eighth inning that scored Madison Ballard. The Lady Ironheads got on the board first in the fifth inning as Kadie Tidwell scored on a steal of home to put Eufaula up 1-0.
Chandler tied the game in the sixth inning on an error. Avery Williams earned the win from the pitchers circle. Williams surrendered six hits and one run over eight innings, striking out one with zero walks. Gabbi Noriega went 2-for-4 at the plate and Efurd went l-for-3 with an RBI.
On Wednesday Eufaula dominated Hugo 18-1 in the first game of regional play. Eufaula came out hot and never looked back as they scored seven runs in the first inning and six in the second. Avery and Kambry Williams both managed to score along with Allie Anderson and Rayleigh Peterson. Hugo struggled in the pitching department as they consistently hit Eufaula players with pitches, putting them on base.
Abby Box showed off her speed when she stole home on a single by Anderson. Williams struck out six with zero walks. Kadie Jo Tidwell had two runs batted in to lead Eufaula and the Lady Ironheads stole 21 bases in the game. In game two, Eufaula topped Chandler 7-4. Gabbi Noriega led Eufaula at the plate going 2-of-3 with a pair of RBI’s. Kambry Williams was 2-of-4 with two runs scored.
“I’m super proud of the girls and the overall team effort it took to pull out the two wins against Chandler to secure our Regionals. Pitching and defense were great and we got some opportunistic hits that led to manufacturing runs. We worked the count in our favor against a very good pitcher, found ways on base, executed bunts, stole bases, and got the big hit when needed. The whole team played with the effort that is necessary to win big games. We’ve had a few of gut-wrenching losses late in the games this season, and the girls have used that to grow as players, continue to grind, and get us ready for this time of year.
Super Regional pairings were scheduled to be released on Monday, so we won’t know until then if we host or go somewhere. We anticipate they will be played Thursday and Friday. Either way…. We will be ready,” Eufaula head coach Ryan Green said.
