Straughn claimed the Class 3A, Area 3 title Thursday after defeating Luverne 5-1 and 10-0, and earned the top seed going into the regional tournament next weekend in Gulf Shores.

“In the first game, we were not hitting the ball real well and had to rely on a few bunts to get some runs in,” Straughn coach Ray Wilson said. “In the second game, we got some clutch hits with runners on and that was good to see. I thought we played well defensively and pitched well in both games.”

The Lady Tigers got off to a slow start in the first game, scoring two runs in the second inning and three in the sixth.

In the second game, Straughn’s Kaitlynn Wiggins pitched a six-inning shutout allowing three hits and struck out 11.

Straughn will start its run at the regional tournament at 11 a.m. next Friday.

Straughn 5, Luverne 1

Katy Messick allowed one run on two hits and struck out eight in seven innings to earn the win.

Straughn’s Tiffany Taylor walked and later scored off of an infield hit from Kayla Teel to start the scoring in the second inning.

Teel came around later to score off of an error.

In the sixth inning, Straughn right fielder Tori Bracewell and Teel reached on a single. Kelli Wilcox then reached on an error that scored Bracewell and Teel.

Wilcox scored when Katie Beck grounded out to the shortstop.

Wiggins was 3-for-4 with three singles; Kayla Messer was 2-for-4 with two singles; Messick was 1-for-3 with one single; Taylor was 0-for-3 with one run; Tori Bracewell was 1-for-3 with one run and one single; Teel was 3-for-3 with three singles and one run; Wilcox was 1-for-3 with one single, one run and two RBIs; and Beck was 0-for-3 with one RBI.

Straughn 10, Luverne 0

Coupled with her performance on the mound for the Lady Tigers (28-11-1), Wiggins was 3-for-4 with three runs behind the plate.

Teel was 2-for-4 with one run and one RBI; Hannah Twitty was 2-for-3 with a triple and four RBIs.