Softball Sweeps Doubleheader; Extends Win Streak
April 2, 2026
TUSCALOOSA – The Shelton State Community College softball team extended its winning streak to six straight games with a pair of win over Northwest Shoals Community College on Thursday afternoon.
Sophomore right hander Mackenzie Harper tossed a complete game victory with 10 strikeouts in the Lady Bucs 3-1 win in game one. Freshman Karley Beth Beasley delivered a two-run, pinch-hit single to cap a four-run fifth innings as the Lady Bucs rallied for a 4-3 win in the nightcap.
Shelton State (18-10, 6-4 ACCC) has won six straight games for the first time since 2023, the Lady Bucs posted a 7-game winning streak from Feb. 24-March 11, 2023.
The Lady Bucs scored all three runs in the third inning in game one. Freshman right fielder Anna Valentine stroked a one-out single to center. Sophomore first baseman Chloe Mitchell reached on fielder's choice when NW Shoals third baseman Preslie Bunch had a throwing error that allowed Valentine to score from first base. Freshman second designated player Megan Wilbanks drew a walk and sophomore third baseman Ty Williams delivered the big blow with a two-run double to left to put the Bucs up 3-0.
That's all the run support Harper would need.
Harper (4-5) went the distance for her fourth win. She allowed one run on four hits and struck out 10 batters. The first seven outs came via the strikeout en route to her second double-digit strikeout game of the season. She had 12 strikeouts against Parkland on March 17.
NW Shoals (18-21, 4-10 ACCC) scored its lone run in the fifth inning when Bunch plated a run with a sacrifice fly.
Valentine had two of the Bucs six hits in the opener. Williams had a two-run double.
Shelton State scored four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning for a 4-3 come-from-behind win game two.
The Lady Bucs left seven runners on base through the first four innings, including the bases loaded in the third and fourth innings.
In the fifth innings, Shelton State finally broke through.
Sophomore centerfielder Layla Bradshaw led off with a single up the middle and Valentine followed with a bunt single to put runners on the corners with no outs. Mitchell drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly to down the right field line. Freshman pinch-hitter Lilly Vold walked to put runners on second and third. Williams flew out to left field for the second out.
Freshman pitcher Marleigh McWilliams was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Sophomore shortstop Gradin Haas followed with an RBI single to score Valentine and cut the deficit to 3-2. Beasley then delivered a pinch-hit, two-run single to give Shelton State the 4-3 lead.
Beasley then took over in the circle and retried all six batters for her second save. She recorded two strikeouts.
McWilliams (8-0) worked five innings for her team-leading eighth win. She allowed three runs on six hits.
Fiona East (5-6) allowed four runs and six hits in six innings in the loss.
Shelton State and NW Shoals will wrap up the four-game series on Friday, April 3 at 1 p.m. in Muscle Shoals.
