Alcovy High School’s softball team hosted Union Grove on Tuesday in a hard fought ball game that was decided in the final innings. The Lady Tigers lost 4-0 to the Lady Wolverines but demonstrated that they could compete against some of the best pitching in the state.

"Union Grove has an excellent pitcher but our girls weren’t intimidated by that at all," Alcovy coach Monica Marks said. "They hung in there to compete all night and I am proud of them for that."

The Lady Tigers did struggle early offensively but their defensive tenacity allowed them to hang in the game. Several Lady Tigers stepped up big to make critical plays in the outfield especially. Chelsie Nolley made a nice grab to close out the third inning and Waneshia Morris followed Nolley when she reached out to catch a pop up ball to end the fourth inning and slowed down the Lady Wolverines momentum.

Chelsea Murphy showed that she will be a force to be reckoned with in 2011 as she pitched brilliantly for the Lady Tigers and led the team as they kept the game scoreless going into the sixth inning.

The Lady Tigers gave up two runs in the sixth inning due to errors. With their backs against the wall, the Lady Tigers made attempts to claw their way back into the game. Murphy and Morgan Beshears both ripped big hits to get on base and the momentum swing began to shift in Alcovy's favor.

"We came out fighting to win this game," Marks said. "Although we fell behind in the 6th inning, we never gave up and stayed persistent in out fight."

The Lady Tigers were persistent all night but could not capitalize with runners on base in the sixth inning. Alcovy fell further behind in the seventh inning when the Lady Wolverines plated two more runs. The game finished in favor of the Lady Wolverines, 4-0.

"We are now 3-3 and have a lot more softball to play," Marks said. "We came up short tonight but I think we played really well against a good team."

Alcovy traveled to Ola Thursday for another region matchup. Their next home game is Monday versus Salem at 5:55 p.m. Salem came from behind to defeat Newton Tuesday.