On the May 16 and 23rd weekends the Birmingham Giants have notched a 2nd place and a 3rd place, raising their record to 28-14-2 on the season.
In their first tournament of the two week run, they Giants played in Hueytown facing off in pool play against High Intensity 02 and the Lady Patriots.
In Game 1 the Giants took on High Intensity , and after a close game early the 03 Giants surrendered 3late runs to fall 5-1. Julia Petty started the game in the circle, allowing just 3 hits and 3 earned run in the loss. The Giants mustered just 2 hits (Chy Barnhill, Ali King) and the lone run in the first inning.
In Game 2, the Giants faced off with the Lady Patriots. After 4 hard fought innings, the game ended in a 2-2 tie. Chy Barnhill pitched all 4 innings, in what ended up being the Giants 16th no hitter all time and her 4th as a Giant.
Offensively the Giants received hits from Reese Lowery (2,2b), Ali King (2), Lauren Dill (1), and Krista Glaze(1,2b) but stranded 4 runners and settled for a tie.
The Tournament was shortened by Rain and by virtue of pool seeds, the Giants finished in second place.
On May 23rd, the Giants 03 travelled to Fultondale for their next tournament.
In their first game of pool play the Giants Faced off with their old foe, the Cobras. After trailing early 3-0, the Giants scored 4 runs, sending 9 hitters to the plate to take the 4-3 win. Offensively the Giants were led by Chy Barnhill (1), Ali King (2), Kailey Hicks(1), Lauren Dill (1), Krista Glaze (1,2b), Piper Lowery and Julia Petty (1).
Kadence Ward started the game, and was relieved by Julia Petty, who struck out 3 of the 5 hitters she faced, picking up the win.
In Game 2 of pool play, the Giants took on the Rattlers. In yet another hard fought game, Chy Barnhill’s 1 hit shut out led the Giants to the 2-0win. The Giants managed on 3 hits 2 by Ali King, the last being a walk off 2 run single, to drive in both of the Giants runs, Lauren Dill had the other hit for the Giants.
The Giants began last pool play game being matched up with Going Yard 02. A 6 run 2nd inning, sank the Giants as they fell 7-3. The Giants pitching allowed just 2 hits, but 5 walks did the damage for the 7 runs. The Giants received hits from Chy Barnhill (1), Kailey Hicks (2), Lauren Dill (1), Abbie Warnick (1), and Kadence Ward(1).
To begin bracket play, the Giants were matched up with the Rattlers. In 3 extra innings the Giants prevailed 4-3, with Piper Lowery singling in the eventual winning run. Hits for the Giants also came from Chy Barnhill (2,2b), Reese Lowery (3), Ali King (2), Lauren Dill (1), Krista Glaze (1,2b), and Piper Lowery (2).
Julia Petty pitched all 7 innings, striking out 8, while walking just 1 for the win. The win moved the Giants into the Semi Finals to again face off with the Cobras.
After an early 3-0 lead, the Giants gave up 7 runs in the bottom of the 2nd, and never recovered, losing 8-4 against the cobras. Offensively the Giant hits came from Reese Lowery (1), Ali King (2), Kailey Hicks (1), Lauren Dill (1), and Kadence Ward (1). The Loss sent the Giants to the Losers bracket to face off with Going Yard.
In yet another close hard fought battle, Going Yard prevailed 4-3, eliminating the Giants for the day. Chy Barnhill allowed just 1 hit in the loss. At the plate, 2 hits from Kailey Hicks, Abbie Warnick (2), and Krista Glaze (1).
