St. James wins 3A state softball title

BY TIM GAYLE

JACKSONVILLE -- Emily Needham pitched a three hitter and the Trojan batters scored nine runs in the first three innings to defeat Colbert County 9-1 on Friday afternoon and bring the school its first championship trophy since 2008.

Needham allowed three hits and four walks in a complete-game performance, striking out seven to earn most valuable player honors in the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s 3A finals at Jacksonville State’s Jana McGinnis Field.

St. James (38-6-1) won its sixth state title in fast pitch softball, tying it with Brantley, Orange Beach and Sparkman for the third most championships in AHSAA history, trailing only Pisgah (10) and Alabama Christian (nine).

St. James struck early as leadoff hitter Kaitlyn Hudson drew a walk, stole second, went to third on a passed ball and scored on a Sydney Johnston single. Emily Darby followed with a single and a Mary Olive Maddox fly to shortstop and subsequent error plated two runs for a 3-0 lead. 

The Trojans added two more runs in the second inning. Koriah Cannon reached on an error, Hudson followed with a bunt single and Darby later singled in a pair of runs for a 5-0 lead.

In the third, Needham doubled, Addi Brunson drew a one-out walk, Cannon singled to load the bases and Hudson drew a walk to force in a run. Johnston singled to center field to drive in a pair of runs and Lily Stanford later forced in a run on a bases-loaded walk for a 9-0 lead.

Makayli Davis doubled to right center field in the second inning for Colbert County and Hallie Holland added a single in the third inning and a home run to center field in the fifth for the Indians’ lone run.

Colbert County (51-10) defeated Madison Academy in the semifinals on Friday to advance to the finals in its first-ever state tournament appearance.

Johnston, the school’s all-time career hits leader, went 2 for 4 in her final game at St. James (38-6-1), scoring twice and driving in three runs. Hudson went 2 for 2 with an RBI and three runs scored and Darby went 2 for 2 with two RBIs.