Tigers' late rally falls short

Adairsville softball challenged visiting Rockmart late in the game Thursday night, but came up short in a 7-4 Region 6-AAA loss in Tiger Valley. Rockmart pitcher, Emilee Register, limited the Tigers to only one hit through the first five innings and tossed a complete-game, three-hitter to earn the win. She struck out seven and walked two. The Yellow Jackets took a 3-0 lead in the third inning and went ahead 6-0 in the fourth inning on a three-run home run by Gracey Arnold.

Arnold hit a solo shot in the sixth inning to give Rockmart a 7-0 advantage before Adairsville’s offense came to life. The Tigers scored twice in the sixth inning on a Chloe Souders sac fly and an RBI single by Victoria O’Neal — her second hit of the game. Adairsville then added two more runs in the seventh on a two-out, Taylor Rhoades double. Unfortunately, their comeback threat ended there.

O’Neal (4 IP, 6R, 4ER, 3H, 3BB, 4K) and Rhoades (3 IP, 1ER, 2H, 0BB, 6K) split the Adairsville pitching duties.

Rockmart — currently tied for third in the region standings — improved to 11-5 on the season and 7-3 in region play. Adairsville (10-8, 4-7) returns to region action next Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe.