The Cornerstone Christian School defeated Wilcox Academy 5-1 to claim a fourth-consecutive Alabama Independent Schools Association Class 1A championship May 8 at Lagoon Park in Montgomery.

Senior pitcher Chelsey Dunnaway gave up only one earned run on three hits with 11 strikeouts and three walks in a complete game to lead the Chargers (26-1) in the championship game.

Jana Armstrong led the Chargers at the plate as she finished 2-for-3 with two doubles and scored two runs. Nichole Davis, Destiny Dillard, Hollie Odgers and Dunnaway added one hit each.

Dunnaway drove in two runs. Davis and Dillard drove in one run each.

The Chargers continued to use strong pitching and defense to advance to the championship game with a 6-1 win over Wilcox Academy.

Leading 2-1 going into the bottom of the sixth inning, the Chargers put the game away with a four-run rally keyed by timely hitting. Nichole Davis started the rally with a single and Jana Armstrong followed with another single. Destiny Dillard followed with a double that would bring in both runners.

Chelsey Dunnaway walked and then Kailey Goodwin followed with an RBI single. Allie Toney would single to load the bases and then Katie Watts would get hit by the pitch to bring in the final run for the Chargers.

Dillard led Cornerstone at the plate with a double, a single and two RBIs. Kailey Goodwin added three singles and an RBI, Nichole Davis added two singles and two runs scored and Katie Watts added two singles, a hit-by-pitch and an RBI.

Dunnaway went the distance in the circle for the Chargers, striking out 14 and allowing eight hits.

Cornerstone blanked Sparta Academy 15-0 in five innings in their opening game at the state tournament.

Armstrong took full advantage of her first start in the circle this year, throwing a perfect game in the opening game. Armstrong accounted for all 15 outs, striking out 13 batters and throwing two out at first for the Chargers against Sparta Academy.

The Chargers would score one run in the bottom of the first and blow the game open with seven more runs in the bottom of the second inning and four more runs in the third.

Dillard led Cornerstone (24-1) at the plate with an RBI double and two singles. Toney added an RBI single and two walks and Ashley Carten added an RBI single.

Cornerstone continued to ride their pitching and defense as they shut out Ashford Academy 8-0 in the second game of the day to advance in the winner’s bracket at the state tournament.

Dunnaway picked up the win in the circle for the Chargers, striking out nine and only allowing one hit in five innings. Armstrong threw two innings, striking out three and allowing one hit.

Goodwin led Cornerstone at the plate with three hits and an RBI. Watts added two hits and two runs scored, Odgers added a hit and three RBI and Toney added an RBI single.

Kingwood finishes 1-2 at Class 3A state tournament

Kingwood Christian got off to a good start in the AISA Class 3A state championship tournament with an 11-1 five-inning victory over Pike Liberal Arts School.

The Lions used an eight-run second inning and never looked back.

Whitney Gillespie led Kingwood Christian (22-7) at the plate with a double, two singles, and three RBI. Lauren Rozof chipped in with two singles and two RBI.

Gillespie picked up the win in the circle for the Lions, striking out five and allowing two hits in three innings. Madeline Lee pitched the final two innings, striking out three and only allowing one hit.

However, the Lions fell 3-1 to Hooper Academy and 4-3 to Lee-Scott Academy later in the evening and were knocked out of the Class 3A state tournament.