John P. Brackin - Freelance Writer - Articles - 2007 ACCC Softball Tournament

ACCC Softball Tournament a Success

Alabaster Newsletter, July 2007

A couple of familiar foes squared off in the championship game of this year’s Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) fast-pitch softball tournament held at Veterans Park, May 4-8.

Wallace State-Hanceville, 2007 ACCC Softball Tournament In a rematch of last year’s final, defending champion Central Alabama Community College took on 2005 winner Wallace State-Hanceville. This year, Hanceville proved too much for the Lady Trojans, defeating them 5-1 and exacting a bit of payback for last year’s 8-1 loss.

Both teams entered the tournament as favorites. Hanceville finished the regular season with a 58-9 record and No. 20 ranking in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) poll, while Central Alabama finished 49-5 with a No. 15 ranking.

The game itself was a tight 1-0 affair until the bottom of the third inning, when a string of Central Alabama errors loaded the bases for Wallace State-Hanceville. All-Tournament third baseman Lindsey McDaniel singled in two runs, giving Hanceville its first lead and the only runs it would need.

Hanceville tacked on three more runs, while Central Alabama never could manage to get its bats untracked. Hanceville starting pitcher, freshman Ashley Pratt kept them largely in check and finished with a complete game, one-run performance.

"This is one of our
premier tournaments,"
says conference
commissioner Al Cox.

According to Conference Commissioner Al Cox, Alabaster and Veterans Park have proven to be a great fit for the annual tournament.

“What can you say, this is one of our premier tournaments. This has just been outstanding. Since I’ve been here, it’s been nothing but compliments from parents and kids and coaches. They just have a delightful time,” Cox said.

Cox even compared the tournament favorably to the national championship tournament held each year in Plant City, Fla.

“I went to the national World Series down in Plant City,” he said. “It’s bigger, but it doesn’t rival the excitement and the facilities of this tournament. And the girls love it. I mean, this is spectacular.”

The ACCC is comprised of 22 two-year colleges, of which 13 were represented at this year’s tournament. Those included Jefferson State, Bishop State, Shelton State, Calhoun, Enterprise-Ozark, and Wallace State-Dothan, among others.

After the game, individual honors were announced, including the All-Region and All-Tournament Teams. The two finalists each had four players named All-Tournament. Hanceville infielder Courtney Underwood was named Tournament MVP.

“This is what it’s all about,” Cox said. “Our kids get to come here and have a great time. Then the winners get to go to the national championship. We’re very proud.”

Wallace State-Hanceville advanced to the NJCAA tournament, held May 17-19.