With their backs against the wall facing elimination, the Gulf Shores Dolphins rattled off three wins to escape the consolation bracket and earn the Class 5A runner-up qualifier from the AHSAA South …
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With their backs against the wall facing elimination, the Gulf Shores Dolphins rattled off three wins to escape the consolation bracket and earn the Class 5A runner-up qualifier from the AHSAA South Regional Championship on Wednesday at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.
The Dolphins are state-bound for the first time since their championship-winning season in 2007. Gulf Shores finished things at regionals with an 11-3 win over the Holtville Bulldogs that enacted revenge from a 6-5 loss in Tuesday’s first round. With elimination-bracket wins over Headland (11-0 also Tuesday), Brewbaker Tech (11-0) and Faith Academy (6-4), the Dolphins qualified for the final tournament of the season for the first time since 2007.
It was also 17 years ago that Gulf Shores was crowned Class 5A state champions thanks in part to State Tournament MVP and Pitcher of the Year Haley Hopkins (Steege), the current head coach of the Dolphins.
Trojans secure return trip to state
Similarly, the Daphne Trojans won their opening-round game against Auburn (1-0) then fell to Central-Phenix City (2-1) to join the Class 7A Central Regional's consolation bracket in Montgomery on Monday.
The Fairhope Pirates fell in the first round to Central (8-6) then eliminated Auburn (3-2) to also be on the verge of a state tournament berth. However, Daphne punched its ticket with a 13-0 win where Farley Harris (double, home run, 4 RBIs), Braylyn Swann (double, RBI) and Dasia Matt (double, RBI) all recorded 3-for-4 days.
Junior and Alabama commit Vic Moten dazzled in the pitcher’s circle in the first two games. Moten allowed only 1 hit to Auburn and struck out 20 Tigers before she carried a no-hitter to the 7th inning of the Trojans’ loss to Central where she racked up 14 strikeouts.
Gulf Shores and Daphne joined Class 6A South Regional champion Baldwin County and Class 4A South Regional champion Orange Beach in advancing to the state tournament set to begin on Monday at Choccolocco Park in Oxford.
Follow @GCMSportsAL on social media for immediate updates from the state tournament.
