The Belgreen Bulldogs have advanced to the Class 1A Elite Eight softball tournament, which will be held in Oxford at Choccolocco Park. Belgreen (25-18) will open the tournament facing Holy Spirit Catholic (14-17) Tuesday morning at 10:45 a.m.

The other Elite Eight matchups are:

• Pleasant Home (21-18) vs. Appalachian (22-7)
• Cedar Bluff (14-24-1) vs. Brantley (28-12)
• South Lamar (27-16) vs. Skyline (28-13-1)

The tournament is double elimination and will continue through May 22.

“I am excited for our players to be able to experience this opportunity,” said Belgreen Coach Susie Tverberg. “They have worked very hard, and their hard work has paid off.”

The team the Bulldogs will be playing, Holy Spirit, won their region rather handily. Tverberg, however, said she believes her team needs to focus on themselves – not their opponents.

“In order for our girls to be successful at the state tournament, we must focus on who we are and what we do and what we do well,” Tverberg said. “If we play to our strengths – our pitchers hit their spots, our defense makes routine plays, executes offensively, and runs the bases with a purpose – we will have no regrets.”

Belgreen started off the regional tournament easily, beating Lynn 13-1. The Bulldogs were sent to the elimination bracket in game two after losing to Waterloo 4-1.

This put Belgreen in the position to win the remaining games to advance to the Elite Eight.

The Bulldogs did just that, squeaking out a 2-1 win over Marion County and beating Hackleburg 12-1 before exacting sweet revenge on the Waterloo Cougars by winning 4-1.

Waterloo opened the final game taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but Belgreen tied the game in the top of the third inning when Hannah Borden singled in Noelle Willingham.

The Bulldogs took the lead in the top of the fifth inning on a sacrifice bunt by Lily Blackburn scoring Emma Dempsey.

Belgreen added an insurance run in the top of the fifth inning and sixth inning with some aggressive base running.

Dempsey pitched a complete game. She allowed five hits, one run and no walks and struck out 12 batters.