GULF SHORES — Pleasant Home and Florala split in first-day action at the Class 1A South Regional Softball Tournament on Friday.

The Lady Eagles beat McKenzie in the first round, 9-2, but fell 12-6 to arch rival, Kinston. FHS defeated J.U. Blacksher 5-0, but lost 4-0 to a good Brantley team in the semifinals.

Lady Wildcats coach Pat Maddox said the girls gave a good effort, especially in the second game.

“They (Brantley) just blooped some in on us and that’s what hurt us,” Maddox said. “There were no errors. Lily (Ritzel) pitched a great game, we fielded well. It was the same old nemesis; we’ve got to hit.

“Other than that, I’m just proud of them,” he said.

In the third inning, BHS had bases loaded with no outs and Florala escaped by allowing only three runs.

“That could’ve been devastating,” Maddox said.

For the Lady Eagles, the start against McKenzie was a little slow, but the girls woke up when they needed to, PHS coach Bradley Stephens said.

“It was like the motor wasn’t really going yet,” Stephens said. “Then, we started hitting and really playing like we’re supposed to. We did a lot better.”

Brianna Dozier had two hits and two RBIs to lead PHS against MHS. Helena Weaver had two hits and Cassidy Godwin had one hit.

During the Kinston game, errors plagued PHS as it committed at least six on the field.

Taylor McGhee led PHS with two doubles and an RBI; Weaver had two singles; and Godwin had a two-run home run in the seventh, along with a single.

Florala’s Callie Wise scored on an error in the top of the second against JUBHS; and Ritzel later crossed to make it 2-0 in the same frame. The Lady Wildcats added two more runs to make it a 4-0 game.

Ritzel struck out 16 batters and allowed no runs on four hits in the complete-game win.

Ritzel and Wise went 3-for-4 to lead FHS.

The Lady Wildcats play McKenzie today at 9:30 a.m. in the loser’s bracket, while PHS plays JUBHS at the same time.