Dillard walks off Stillman, claims 1–0 thriller over regular-season co-champions
| Final (8) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
|
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
NORTHPORT, AL — Dillard saved its biggest swing for last, edging Stillman 1–0 Sunday evening behind a dominant shutout from Mary-Elizabeth Landry and an eighth-inning game-winner that delivered a statement victory over its regular-season co-champions.
Locked in a scoreless duel for seven innings, Dillard finally broke through in the bottom of the eighth. With the bases busy, Jessica Battiste lined a single to left to drive in the game's only run, scoring Ca'Terra Bates and sealing the win in walk-off fashion.
Landry (13–6) authored the backbone of the victory, going the distance across eight shutout innings. She scattered six hits, walked two and struck out six, repeatedly stranding Stillman opportunities and keeping the co-champions off the board all night.
Stillman pitcher Karli Crocker (7–6) matched the intensity in a tough-luck loss, allowing just one run on eight hits over seven innings with five strikeouts. But Dillard's late surge—sparked by Bates' 2-for-3 night at the plate—proved decisive.
Dillard finished with eight hits to Stillman's six in a crisp, error-free game, punctuating the postseason meeting by knocking off the team it shared the regular-season crown with when it mattered most.
-Bleu Devils-