PREP UPDATE: St. James holds off Mobile Christian in FCA Alex Wilcox softball tourney; MA baseball walks off Autauga Academy

St. James’ Camryn Caldwell is tagged out attempting to steal second in the Trojans’ win over Mobile Christian on Friday. (Tim Gayle)

COMBINED REPORTS

It looked almost too easy for St. James in the first inning of Friday’s game with Mobile Christian in the sixth annual Alex Wilcox FCA Softball Tournament at Lagoon Park Softball Complex.

But after building a quick 3-0 lead, the Trojans’ bats went silent and St. James had to endure a few nerve-wracking moments in the final three innings before holding off the Leopards 3-1.

“That’s a good team, coached well, but I just felt like today, offensively, we put everything we had into the first inning, I guess, because after that we just cooled off,” St. James coach Mark Hall said. “Offensively, it’s a work in progress. We’re figuring out what lineup is best, who needs to be where and today we were just very average at the plate.”

The Trojans struck quickly in the bottom of the first as Sydney Johnston hit a one-out single and scored on Mary Olive Maddox’s double for a 1-0 lead. Lily Stanford and Emily Needham followed with RBI singles for a three-run lead.

That was all Needham would need, but the Leopards made things interesting in the final three innings as Sydney Nelson hit a one-out RBI single back up the middle in the fifth to score a run, loaded the bases with one out in the sixth and Nelson led off the seventh with a single for one last threat.

Each time, Needham and her defense rose to the occasion to hold the Leopards in check. 

The two teams last met in the opening round of the 2025 state tournament with St. James grabbing an 11-3 win. Playing in the Alex Wilcox Tournament gave the Trojans an opportunity to gauge their ability as they gear up for another run at a state championship.

“It’s a win-win for us,” Hall said. “We get to play in the FCA tournament and I’m all about what FCA stands for. It’s a good reason for me to express my faith and what I believe in and play in a tournament like that for a good cause like Alex Wilcox and what she stood for.

“And the second thing that’s good about it is you face good competition. Every game we play is going to be good competition this weekend and that’s what we need to see.”

St. James (16-3) will return to action in the tournament on Saturday morning against Mary G. Montgomery at 9 a.m. before playing Pike Liberal Arts at 11 a.m.

SOFTBALL

Pike Road 10, Rehobeth 5

REHOBETH -- Kennedy Cuthbert and Addison Belyeu both homered for the Patriots to help them to an area win over Rehobeth on Thursday.

Freshman Abby Olesen picked up her seventh win of the season, allowing six hits and five runs, none earned, while striking out one and walking four.

Cuthbert hit a pair of home runs, a solo shot and a two-run homer, while Belyeu hit a two-run homer and was hit by a bases-loaded pitch to drive in three runs as well. Kasyn Wilson added two hits as well, while Paisley Forshey had a hit and an RBI, Kennedy Thompson had a hit and an RBI and Haleigh Morris had a hit.

Presslie Taylor took the loss for Rehobeth. Payton Roland, Isabella Danford, Jessa Baker and Adeebah Yusuf collected a hit each.

GIRLS TENNIS

Montgomery Academy 5, St. Paul’s Episcopal 4

Montgomery Academy trailed St. Paul’s after doubles competition, but rallied to a 5-4 victory as the bottom part of the lineup helped the Eagles to victory on Friday at McLemore Tennis Center.

In doubles, the No. 3 team of Sailor Vance and Lillian Cameron rallied from an early deficit to win the only point for the Eagles in doubles competition.

In singles, Mary Surhea White won at No. 3, Charlotte Vann won at No. 4, Cameron won at No. 5 and Vance won at No. 6 to secure the victory.   

BASEBALL

Montgomery Academy 5, Autauga Academy 4

Chapman Baker’s walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh scored Hays Marks to give the Eagles a 5-4 win over Autauga Academy on Friday at Montgomery Academy.

Marks went 2 for 4 with an RBI and Paxton Haigler had an RBI single in the seventh inning rally.

William Marks went 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored and Kingston Nelson went 2 for 2 and scored a run to help the Eagles at the plate.

Finley Haigler was the winning pitcher in relief, allowing two runs in three innings, while striking out three. Nathaniel Haw was the starter, going four innings and allowing four hits and one earned run.

Montgomery Academy 2, Charles Henderson 0

Vincent Desautels threw a complete game shutout, striking out 10 and only allowing three hits as the Eagles defeated Charles Henderson on Thursday.

Reid McBride went 3 for 4 with an RBI, Hays Marks was 2 for 3 with an RBI double and Kingston Nelson was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

GIRLS SOCCER

Alabama Christian 1, Prattville Christian 1

PRATTVILLE -- Alabama Christian pulled out a 2-1 win in penalty kicks after the game remained tied 1-1 through two overtime periods on Friday at Panther Stadium.

Addison Sutton led the Lady Panthers with 1 goal scored. Aiden Williams made the only PK for PCA in the shootout.

PCA (1-5-3) dropped to 1-1 in area play and will travel to play Holtville on Tuesday.

Catholic 1, Wetumpka 0

Claire Aaron scored the game’s only goal to give Catholic a 1-0 win over Wetumpka on Tuesday.

The sophomore was assisted by junior Chayse Jordan on the goal.

Freshman Kyleigh Harris preserved the shutout, recording four saves. It was Harris’ fifth shutout of the year, allowing just nine goals over nine games.

Catholic (8-1-1) will remain home to play St. James on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

BOYS SOCCER

Alabama Christian 6, Prattville Christian 3

PRATTVILLE -- Ethan Green, Nolan Currier and Matthew Meier each scored a goal for the Panthers in a 6-3 loss to Alabama Christian at Panther Stadium on Friday night.

Cody Chapman assisted on one of the goals.

PCA (1-8) dropped to 0-1 in area play and will travel to play Holtville on Tuesday.

BOYS TENNIS

Montgomery Academy 8, Opelika 1

Montgomery Academy swept the singles competition to defeat the Bulldogs 8-1 in a 7A Section 3 match at McLemore Tennis Center on Wednesday.

Singles winners were Jackson Brown, Liam Baker, Duncan McInnes, Anton Yang, Bo Johnston and Blevins Henderson.

In doubles, McInnes-Henderson and Yang-Johnston posted wins for the Eagles.

Montgomery Academy (11-2) will play host to section opponent Enterprise on Tuesday.