The 2019 4A State Champs began defense of their crown Saturday in Columbus, GA in the Sidney Cooper Invitational. The Lady Eagles won two out of three games as they defeated Hazel Green, 2-1, and Smiths Station, 4-2. ACA was defeated by Dale County in the weekend’s only loss.
In the season opener, the Eagles scored in the top of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead. Rose Costanza drove Haylee Ingram with a two out single to knock in the season’s first run. Hazel Green homered in the bottom half to tie the score, 1-1. In the sixth inning, with the score still tied 1-1, Haley Pittman singled to right field and drove in Chandler Brewer for the game winning run. Pittman held the Trojans scoreless in the bottom of the sixth with the help of centerfielder Haylee Ingram’s double play to end the game. Pittman picked up the win for ACA allowing just one run with 10 strikeouts. Rose Costanza went 3 for 3 with a double and a run driven in while Haylee Ingram collected two hits in three at bats with a run scored.
In the second game of the day, Hayley Cassidy took the circle for the Lady Eagles. Dale County was able to score eight runs over the first three innings to take a commanding 8-0 lead. Down 10-0 in the fifth inning, ACA scored three runs in the bottom half to finish the scoring in the contest. Hayley Cassidy (0-1) took the loss while Izzy Warrick made her debut appearance in the circle as she pitched the final two innings. Five Eagles collected a single hit while Rose Costanza, Haylee Ingram and Monica Willingham all drove in one run.
Haley Pittman returned to the circle for the final game of the day against Smiths Station. Through the first two innings the two teams combined for only three hits as neither team was able to score. ACA opened the scoring in the third inning when Haley Pittman drove in Haylee Ingram on a 1-1 pitch. Smiths Station responded with a two run homer in the fourth inning to take a 2-1 lead heading to the fifth frame. Pittman led off the fifth inning with a single and Landon Justice entered as a courtesy runner. After being moved to second base on a Rose Costanza sacrifice, Justice scored the tying run on a Monica Willingham double to center field. Haley Oswald drove in the game winning run as she singled to center for a 3-2 lead. Chandler Brewer’s bases loaded walk closed out the scoring for the 4-2 victory. Pittman (2-0) struck out seven as she picked up her second win of the year. At the plate, Pittman was 2 for 3 with an RBI while Haley Oswald went for 2 for 2 with a run driven in.
ACA visits Wetumpka Monday night in their next contest.