On Saturday night in Pell City Alabama, the Birmingham Lady Giants grabbed their 3rd tournament win of the season, running their season mark to 17-11, (17-12 over all)and 7-2 in their last 9 games.
After a rough start in pool play, with losses to Sudden Impact (11-0) and on a walk off single 6-5 to the Eliminators the Giants entered the bracket play as the 8 seed. From there the Giants fortunes turned completely around with 3 straight victories and another title.
In the first game of bracket play, the eighth seeded Birmingham Giants took on a scrappy crossfire team from Gadsden. Behind a strong outing on the mound from Olivia Renta (11-9), who carried a no hitter in to the last inning, losing it with 1 out, and some stellar, error free defense the Giants cruised to a 4-1 win. Offensively the Giants were lead by Bailey Lawrence(triple) and Abby Kellogg, Ka’Mya Hampton, Maci Harris and Olivia Renta, all with hits.
In game 2, the Giants were matched with a very good Havoc from Hueytown. With the Giants trailing 3-2, Maci (Harry) Harris, hit her first home run (2-2) of the season, and put the Giants ahead for good 4-3, and eventually winning 8-4. 2 hits apiece from Abby Kellogg, Lauren Cabiness, Bailey Lawrence, Cassi Williams, and Hadley Andrews paced the Giants Offense with additional hits coming from Kim Livingston and Ka’Mya Hampton as well.
Bailey Lawrence led the Giants on the mound, going 5 strong innings, 6hits and striking out 3. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the 4th, Elizabeth (shocker) Wheat made a superb catch in center field to end the inning and preserve a 5-4 lead. The Giants then pushed their lead to 8-4 , and the game ended on a spectacular grab at second base by Mollie Freeman to end the game and send the Giants to the championship game against their rivals, Z Diamonds.
In what has become a Giants trade mark, Olivia (Bob) Renta tossed a complete game win against her former team, going 4 innings, also owing just 5 hits and striking out 3. Two hits each from Lauren Cabiness, Maci Harris(6-7 for the tournament), and Hadley Andrews , who dropped down a 2 outs, 2 strike, squeeze bunt and beat it out to give the Giants a lead they would not relinquish. Additionally the Giants got hits from Abby Kellogg, Mollie Freeman, Bailey Lawrence, Ka’Mya Hampton, and Elizabeth Wheat. Defensively the Giants had 4 put outs from Kinley Hall.
After losing to Z Diamonds earlier in the season, the Giants easily handled a Diamonds team that was simply over matched, allowing just 1 hit out of the infield. Leading the Giants to the victory and their 3rd trophy of the season. The Giants are now 17-11 on the season (17-12 overall)
