FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Vincent High School softball team finished runner-up in the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 2A, Area 10 tournament May 3.

The Yellow Jackets, who fell to host Fultondale 5-4 in eight innings in the championship game, qualified for the Class 2A North Central Region tournament May 3 at Liberty Park in Vestavia Hills.

Vincent, after winning four consecutive games and playing nearly 11 hours to reach the title game, jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the third inning. The Yellow Jackets pushed their lead to 4-0 in the fourth inning following an RBI double by Ashleigh McCloud.

Fultondale scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to cut the deficit to one run before tying the game in the sixth inning.

Fultondale clinched the victory with a run in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Courtney Barber took the loss after giving up five runs on five hits while striking out four batters in a complete game.

Vincent coach Stephanie Ledlow praised the team’s three seniors, Tori Cato, Courtney Holston and Morgan O’Steen, for helping the Yellow Jackets reach the Class 2A region tournament for the second consecutive year.

Ledlow said Cato, the Yellow Jackets’ leading hitter who also kick-started a triple play in the area tournament championship game, is the team’s catalyst.

“She’s played for six years,” Ledlow said. “She’s a vocal leader.”