Lady Indians fall to Wallace State - Hanceville at National Tournament

Ava Worthy advances to second on a sac bunt by Gabby Bess. | photo courtesy of the NJCAA
Ava Worthy advances to second on a sac bunt by Gabby Bess. | photo courtesy of the NJCAA

Wallace State-Hanceville pitcher, and Region 22 Pitcher of the Year, Haylee Folds was dominant on Tuesday as the Lady Indians (25-18) fell to the Lions, 5-0, in the opening round of the 2021 NJCAA National Championship.

Folds struck out seven in the contest and never allowed a Chipola player to touch third base. The Lady Indians had three hits in the game with Ava Worthy, Natalie Kopicova, and Marley Sims each getting a single.

Both teams were scoreless through 3.5 innings of play before the Lions got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Region 22 Player of the Year, Brantly Bonds doubled to lead off the inning and after being moved over to third on a sacrifice bunt, she scored on Maddie Cartron's sacrifice fly to right field. Wallace State would go on to add two runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to pull away.

Zayla McBurrows (12-6) took the loss in the circle, allowing three runs on five hits. McBurrows struck out five and walked only one.

Chipola will begin their fight to remain alive in Yuma, Arizona with 13 seed John A. Logan College (Illinois). The Lady Vols fell to Grayson College on Tuesday, 6-0. First pitch from Pacific Avenue Athletic Complex is Wednesday at noon central.