Photo by Barry Stephenson
William Schaffeld is shown in a playoff game last season.
Over the course of the year, Vestavia Voice will keep you up to date on the various Vestavia Hills High School athletic teams. For previous weekly updates, click here.
BASEBALL
The Vestavia Hills baseball team squeaked out a 3-2 win over defending Class 6A champion Helena on Tuesday night. William Schaffeld’s RBI double in the sixth inning scored Sean Smyth and gave the Rebels the lead for good. Luke Whitaker had a double and two RBIs. Colton Lewis went the distance on the mound, allowing six hits and two runs while striking out 10 batters in seven innings.
The Rebels pulled out a wild 8-7 win over Pelham on Thursday, in nine innings. Pelham tied the game with a run in the seventh, both teams scored a run in the eighth, and Pelham pulled ahead again in the ninth with two runs. But Chris Dugas’ walk-off single lifted Vestavia Hills to victory in a three-run ninth. Dugas finished 4-for-5 with five RBIs in the game.
Vestavia Hills split a pair of games in Auburn on Saturday. The Rebels fell to Hewitt-Trussville, 6-5, in the first game, despite a Lewis home run. In the second game, the Rebels broke a tie game with two runs in the seventh to beat Auburn, 4-2.
SOFTBALL
The Vestavia Hills softball team couldn’t overcome a four-run inning as Wetumpka knocked off the Rebels, 7-5, on Tuesday. Vestavia Hills tied the game at 2-2, but Wetumpka scored four in the sixth to pull away. Mary Sanders James was 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the game, while Charity Bibbs and Annie Kate Parks knocked in runs as well.
The Rebels picked up an area win on Thursday, dominating Hoover 11-0. Nikki Hammond pitched a shutout, allowing three hits and three walks with three strikeouts in five innings of work. Hannah Grace Roden knocked in three runs, while Mary Claire Wilson, Gwynnie Hornibrook and Maddie Crane each drove in two.
Vestavia Hills played in the Oxford Spring Sting over the weekend and opened pool play on Friday with three games. In the first game, Vestavia fell to Lincoln, 1-0. The Rebels had an offensive explosion in a 14-4 win over Jasper, highlighted by Hornibrook’s 4-for-4 day that included a double, triple and three RBIs. Sarah Cain and James picked up a couple RBIs as well. The Rebels had to rally to defeat Pleasant Valley, 5-4, in the second game. Merritt Cahoon was 2-for-4 with two RBIs and Roden’s game-winning hit scored James to give the Rebels the win.
The Rebels were impressive on Saturday, despite a pair of losses. They concluded pool play with an 8-2 loss to Chelsea before beating Lincoln, 3-1, to begin bracket play. In the game, Hammond allowed just two hits and an unearned run in five innings of work. Roden drove in a pair of runs in the Rebels 9-6 victory over Hewitt-Trussville, as they avenged a loss from earlier in the season. Vestavia’s day came to an end with a 9-8 loss to Daphne, although the Rebels made it interesting with a five-run fifth inning.
SOCCER
The Vestavia Hills girls soccer team picked up a 4-2 win over rival Oak Mountain on Tuesday. The girls team played in the McGill Classic over the weekend and began with a 3-1 win over Holt (Missouri) on Friday. After losing to McGill-Toolen 2-0 and beating Mountain Brook 1-0 on Saturday, the Rebels won a coin toss and were determined McGill Classic champions.
On Friday, the Vestavia boys soccer team held off Greater Atlanta Christian in a shootout to win the match, 3-2. The Rebels picked up another win on Saturday with an impressive 4-2 win over Clarkston of Georgia.
TENNIS
On Monday, the Vestavia Hills boys tennis team defeated section opponent Oak Mountain, 9-0. Individual winners included Alex Lloyd, Sam Smith, Gray Moore, Robert Hill, Jack Kimbrough, Daniel Wheeler, Cole Spain, Ram Prattipati and Josh Taylor.
The Vestavia boys beat Spain Park, 8-1 on Thursday. Lloyd, Smith, Moore, Clay Castleberry, Hill and Kimbrough won their individual matches.
TRACK AND FIELD
The Vestavia Hills outdoor track and field teams competed in the Homewood Invitational at Samford University on Saturday. James Sweeney finished second in the 3,200-meter run (9:33.02), followed by teammate Ethan Strand (9:40.67), who finished third. The boys 4x400-meter relay team finished third with a time of 3:36.90. Carl Nesbitt won the high jump, clearing the bar at 6 feet, 6 inches. Jake Haston cleared 13 feet to finish third in the pole vault.
— What else would you like to see mentioned? For any suggestions, feel free to email sports editor Kyle Parmley at kparmley@starnespublishing.com.
