Wallace State Softball Sweeps Snead State with Pair of Shutouts

Boaz, Ala. - The Wallace State Lady Lions opened conference play in dominant fashion Thursday afternoon, sweeping Snead State with a pair of shutout victories, 5-0 and 9-0. Behind outstanding pitching performances from Madeline Howard and Taylor Stalling and timely offense throughout the lineup, Wallace State improved to 19-4 overall and 2-0 in conference play. The Lady Lions combined for 21 hits, nine RBIs, and two complete-game shutouts while playing flawless defense in both games.

Game 1: Wallace State 5, Snead State 0

Madeline Howard delivered a commanding performance in the circle, tossing a complete-game shutout as Wallace State defeated Snead State 5-0 in the opener of Thursday's conference doubleheader. Howard scattered five hits across seven innings, allowing no runs while striking out eight and walking just one. She faced 28 batters and threw 110 pitches, consistently keeping Snead State off balance.

The Lady Lions wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning. Snead State committed an error that allowed Wallace State to push across the first run before Charli Kyser singled to center field to bring home another. Later in the inning, Leah Graves was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing in a third run and giving Wallace State an early 3-0 lead.

Wallace State added another run in the second inning when Brooklynn Sertell lifted a sacrifice fly, extending the lead to 4-0. The Lions added insurance later to secure the shutout victory.

Offensively, Kaelyn Jones led the way from the leadoff spot, going 3-for-5 and scoring twice. Wallace State collected 10 hits in the game, with Reese Decker and Ashlyn Burns each recording multiple hits. Kyser, Jones, Sertell, Sydney Gurley, and Graves each drove in a run.

The Lions also showed discipline at the plate, drawing four walks, including two by Sertell.

Defensively, Wallace State was flawless, committing no errors in the field. Sertell led the defensive effort behind the plate with six chances, helping guide Howard through the complete-game shutout.

Game 2: Wallace State 9, Snead State 0

Taylor Stalling matched Howard's dominance in the second game, pitching a complete-game three-hit shutout as Wallace State rolled to a 9-0 victory to complete the sweep.

Stalling worked efficiently through seven innings, allowing just three hits while walking two and keeping Snead State from generating any offensive momentum.

Wallace State struck first in the opening inning. Charli Kyser drew a walk to start the rally, and Kenley Vaughn later drove in a run on a fielder's choice, giving the Lions an early advantage.

The Lions then broke the game open in the fifth inning with a five-run outburst. Vaughn delivered a run-scoring double, followed by RBI singles from Allie Tatum and Reese Decker. Later in the inning, Kaelyn Jones drove in a run on a fielder's choice before Sydney Gurley capped the rally with an RBI single.

Wallace State finished with 11 hits in the game. Gurley and Decker each collected two hits, while Vaughn drove in a team-high two RBIs.

The Lions also continued to show patience at the plate, drawing seven walks during the game.

Defensively, Wallace State again played error-free softball. Sydney Gurley led the team defensively with four chances, helping preserve the second shutout of the day.

With the sweep, Wallace State moves to 19-4 overall and 2-0 in ACCC play, continuing its strong start to the season.