SPANISH FORT, Alabama — The state of Alabama has a new USSSA (United States Specialty Sports Association) Fastpitch 12U softball champion for 2013 and they hail from Spanish Fort. The girls won their state tournament at Liberty Park in Birmingham last weekend.

The Spanish Fort Sports Association would like to recognize and congratulate the Spanish Fort girls 12U softball team for their achievement said assistant coach Andy Penry.

After winning both the pre-district and district tournaments for south Alabama, the Lady Toros entered the USSSA state tournament as one of the top seeds in the 19-team field.

The Spanish Fort girls led off the tournament with a 13-2 win over Limestone County, followed by a 16-2 victory against Walker County.

The Spanish Fort Ladies then faced Moody and took a 4-0 shutout win before a 4-1 win over McCalla placed the Lady Toros in the championship round where they faced McCalla again. Spanish Fort then won the title game 10-8 in extra innings to claim the state fastpitch crown.

SPANISH FORT’S USSSA STATE CHAMPS: Grace Armstrong, Bailey Avery, Cameron Cox, Rylee Dukes, Caroline Elliot, Sarah Elliot, Layla Hadley, Reilly Landreneau, Danielle Pelfrey, Sarah Grace Penry, Corinne Stein, Claire Uhle, Anna Walton and Hanna Willis. The 12u team was coached by Blake Stein, and assistants Steve Dukes, George Cox, and Andy Penry.