Wallace State edges Shelton State to advance to second round in ACCC Championship

ALABASTER — Wallace State softball advanced in the ACCC Championship on Thursday with a 5-4 win over Shelton State in the second round at Veterans Park.

The Lady Lions battled back from an early deficit and held on late to move into the championship matchup between the tournament's top two seeds.

Shelton State took control early, building a 2-1 lead through four innings before Wallace State answered with three runs in the fifth to move in front 4-3. The Lady Lions added another run in the sixth, and that insurance run proved important as Shelton State pushed across one run late before Wallace State closed out the win.

Head coach Sallie Beth Burch praised her team's response after the game, pointing to the way the Lady Lions continued to compete through difficult moments.

Burch called the win a "total team effort," noting that Wallace State needed contributions throughout the lineup and from the pitching staff. She highlighted Kaelyn Jones delivering a bloop RBI hit after struggling earlier in the game, Charli Kyser responding from difficult at-bats with a home run, and pitchers Madeline Howard and Ava Smith continuing to battle despite not having their best outings.

Burch also pointed to Leah Graves' performance at the plate. Graves had two doubles and drew a walk, helping give the lineup confidence against Shelton State pitching. Although Burch said she was disappointed Wallace State could not do more damage with runners on base, she said Graves' success showed the Lady Lions they could square up the opposing pitcher.

Smith continued her late-season emergence in the circle. Burch described Smith's season as a "roller coaster," but said the coaching staff always believed in her high ceiling. After getting an opportunity in recent weeks because of a teammate's illness, Smith has become a key piece for Wallace State by gaining confidence and trusting herself.

The win sends Wallace State into a championship matchup between the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds. Burch said previous meetings between the teams will not matter, stressing that the Lady Lions have to treat the game like any other game, play their best softball and live with the result if the opponent is able to beat them at their best.

Wallace State will continue ACCC Championship play at Veterans Park in Alabaster.