By MICKEL PONTHIEUX / Sports Reporter

NORTH SHELBY – The Briarwood Christian School Lions softball team allowed just one run in three games to win the Class 5A, Area 7 championship May 2.

The Lions (25-12) sealed the tournament with a 15-0 victory in four innings over Homewood. Morgan Reed sealed the win with an inside-the-park grand slam in the bottom of the fourth. Reed finished the game 4-for-4 with five RBIs. Linley Splawn pitched four shutout innings and allowed one hit with one strikeout.

Briarwood began the tournament the same way it ended it, with a 15-0 win over Ramsay. The Lions used 13 walks issued by the Lady Rams to rout Ramsay. Rachel Walz finished 2-for-2 with a triple, double and three RBIs. Splawn pitched four scoreless innings for the win and allowed one hit with seven strikeouts and a walk.

The Lions advanced to the championship game with a 9-1 victory over Homewood in the second round of the area tournament. Reed led Briarwood with a 1-for-3 effort with a double and two runs scored. Walz and Madison Chamber each added a hit for the Lions. Splawn picked up the win while allowing one run on four hits with four strikeouts.

Briarwood will face Chilton County at the South Central regional tournament in Troy May 10 while Homewood will take on Shelby County at the region tournament.