Wallace State softball cruises in ACCC/Region 22 tournament opener, winning 11-0

HANCEVILLE, ALA. – Wallace State’s softball team is off to a convincing start at the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC)/Region 22 tournament.
The second-seeded Lions exploded for 11 runs over the opening two innings Friday and cruised to an 11-0 victory over Southern Union at Veterans Park in Alabaster.
“We wanted to get off to a fast start and jump on them and we did. We know when we play Wallace State softball, it doesn’t matter who’s in the other dugout. We’ve had a good week of preparation, and the vibe certainly followed us to the park. I hope it continues,” said Wallace State first-year coach A.J. Daugherty, whose team batted around in the first and second innings.
Wallace State (39-9) wasted no time getting on the scoreboard Friday. Sophomore Amber Hammonds led off the bottom of the first with a solo homer for a quick 1-0 lead. Taylor Stalnaker added a two-run double later in the inning, and Lyndsay Reeves capped the big inning with single, collecting two RBIs.
The Lions added six more runs in the second inning. Taylor Beshears had an RBI double in the frame, Brittany Ledbetter added a two-run double, Stalnaker had an RBI single and Reeves drove in two more runs with a single.
Reeves, a sophomore from Missouri, finished 3-for-3 with two singles, a double and four RBIs after entering the game with five RBIs during the regular season.
“It was awesome to contribute today and nice to get a big lead. I know my family was excited watching back home,” Reeves said. “We are here to show that we can win a championship again.”
Wallace State is seeking its third consecutive ACCC/Region 22 title and 11^th overall in program history.
“We need players like Lyndsay Reeves to keep coming to work. She is the epitome of a hard worker. She’s had an opportunity the last couple of weeks, and she’s made it hard to take her out of the lineup. Kudos to her for a great day,” Daugherty said.
Brittany Ledbetter and Madison Grant each tossed a pair of innings for Wallace State, and Savannah Bolton pitched the fifth. They combined to throw a two-hitter.
Wallace State advances to play Central Alabama at noon Saturday. Wallace State swept the Lady Trojans in four games this season.
The three-day tournament concludes Sunday with the championship game set for 1 p.m. The winner advances to the NJCAA Division I softball championship at St. George, Utah from May 17-20.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit www.athletics.wallacestate.edu.