By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

MONTGOMERY–The Helena Lady Huskies softball team had a stellar day one at the 5A softball state tournament after winning a pair of close games to advance to the third round of the winners’ bracket, moving closer to a shot at a state championship.

Helena took down Etowah by a score of 7-3 in extra innings in the opening round on May 18, and later in the day held on to defeat Rehobeth 4-3.

Round 1. Helena 7–Etowah 3

In round one of the 5A state tournament, Helena jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first three innings and broke through in the top of the 10^th inning to defeat Etowah 7-3 in extra innings.

In the top of the first inning, Helena’s Mekhi Mayfield blasted a solo homerun to put the Lady Huskies ahead 1-0.

Helena’s Jordan Ingram singled to centerfield in the top of the second inning to score Laney Bruner and extend the lead to 2-0 and another single by Maggie Blanton in the top of the third inning scored Katie Lively to make it 3-0.

The Lady Blue Devils fought back to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth inning after Jessica Smith hit a three-run homerun to left field to score Emma Jones and Alyssa Howard to tie the game 3-3.

The game remained tied at three over the course of the next five innings until the Lady Huskies broke through to score four runs in the 10^th inning get the win.

As a team, Helena collected 17 hits and Lively recorded the win in the circle after pitching three shutout innings.

Round 2. Helena 4–Rehobeth 3

After a tough extra innings game in round one, the Lady Huskies had a quick turnaround to face Rehobeth in round two and once again Helena held on to win a tight 4-3 game.

Helena led the entire game and got on the scoreboard first after Katie Lively hit an RBI single to make it 1-0.

Helena extended its lead in the bottom of the third inning after Reagan Curtis hit a three-run homerun to score Mekhi Mayfield and Jordan Ingram to extend the lead to 4-0.

Rehobeth slowly got back in the game scoring a run in each of the next three innings, but Helena starting pitcher Avery Barnett shutdown the chances of a comeback in the top of the seventh inning and Helena held on for a 4-3 win.

Barnett pitched a complete game, striking out seven and allowing one walk over seven innings.

Helena will take on Marbury in the third round of the winners’ bracket on May 19 at 9 a.m. The winner of this game will advance to the state championship game.