MONDAY PREPS: St. James softball shuts out Elmore County; PCA soccer dominates Autauga

COMBINED REPORTS

SOFTBALL

St. James 4, Elmore County 0

ECLECTIC -- Emily Needham came within one strike of a perfect game as the Trojans shut out the Panthers 4-0 on Monday afternoon.

Needham had to settle for a no hitter after walking Addi Stephenson in the seventh inning. The walk was the only blemish on an 18-strikeout performance.

The two teams waged a scoreless battle through four innings as Needham and Elmore County starter Lalah Culpepper traded strikes. Culpepper allowed just three hits over 5.2 innings before being relieved by Bailey Kennedy, who surrendered three hits and four runs in the final 1.1 innings.

Kaitlyn Hudson went 1 for 4 and drove in the Arden Green with the game’s first run in the fifth. Two batters later, Tat Shuford delivered a three-run home run to score Lily Stanford and Hudson for a four-run lead.

St. James (34-6) will return home to play host to Area 5 rival Trinity for Senior Night on Tuesday at 5 p.m., then travel to Alabama Christian for an area game on Thursday at 4 p.m.

BASEBALL

Montgomery Academy 2, Highland Home 0

In a game where runs were hard to come by, Montgomery Academy was able to pitch and play defense at a high level to secure the win in its final game of the 2025 season.

The Eagles out hit Highland Home 9-2 and were led at the plate by Reid McBride, who finished 2 for 3 with an RBI. William Marks had a hit and an RBI while Paxton Haigler, Oscar Fiore, Vincent Desautels, Andrew Hosein, Chapman Baker and Nathan Applegate all finished with a hit.

Senior Andrew Hosein held the Flying Squadron to two hits over six innings while striking out six. Senior Oscar Fiore got the save in the seventh, striking out two of the three batters he faced.

The Eagles finished the 2025 season with a 13-10 record.

Holtville 5, St. James 2

Five different pitchers combined to hold the Trojans to two runs in the final regular season game for both teams on Monday.

The Bulldogs scored single runs in the second and third innings. Carter McCutchin led off the second with a walk and would later score on an infield out. Davis Foshee led off the third with a single, stole second, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Madison Curry sacrifice fly.

Holtville scored three runs in the top of the fourth inning in bizarre fashion.  Three balks in the inning, a Cedrick Croskey single and a Kelen Kimbro sacrifice fly accounted for the three scores.

Saint James finally got their bats going in the fifth inning.  Chase Perry drove in a pair of runs with a single to cut the lead to 5-2, but the Trojans could score no more. They also had two runners in scoring position in the sixth inning but failed to score.

Kayden Gray, the fifth Holtville pitcher on the day, allowed the Perry RBI single but shut down the Trojans the rest of the way. Connor Johnston was tagged with the loss for Saint James.  

Both teams will travel to metro Birmingham in the first round of the playoffs. Saint James (16-10) will travel to Altamont for the first round of the 3A playoffs and Holtville will travel to Briarwood Christian for the first round of the 5A playoffs.

GIRLS SOCCER

St. James 1, Catholic 0

KK Corley recorded the game winning goal with an assist from Ragan King in the first half to give the Trojans a 1-0 win over Catholic at Carlisle Field on Monday.

It was the first goal scored on the Knights in area play this season. The Trojans were led defensively by Sana Shuford and the whole backline along with Stella Williams in goal to record a huge shutout. St. James preserved the win by working tirelessly to collect their ninth shutout of the season challenging and denying shots throughout the entire game.  

The game wrapped up the 4A Area 3 season for Catholic at 9-1. The Knights (15-4) will return home to play host to Prattville on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

The Trojans (11-2) improved to 7-1 in area play with games remaining at Tallassee on Thursday at 5:30 p.m., followed by another area game at Trinity on Tuesday. Should Catholic and St. James finish the season tied at 9-1 in area play, the Knights would be the area champions based on point differential after defeating St. James 3-0 on April 1.

Prattville Christian 10, Autauga Academy 0

PRATTVILLE -- Aiden Williams led the Panthers with four goals scored and an assist in Prattville Christian’s 10-0 win at Autauga Academy on Monday

Addison Sutton added three assists.  Mimi Szeker and Scarlett Mahlke each scored two goals.  Mady Roy and Abby Avant each scored a goal.  Scarlett Mahlke, Baylee Rogers and Eden Alexander combined in goal for the shutout.  

PCA (5-8-2) improved to 2-5 in area play and will travel to Alabama Christian Academy on Tuesday.

BOYS SOCCER

Prattville Christian 4, Autauga Academy 0

PRATTVILLE -- Cooper Dunn, Joshua Rybarczyk, Ethan Green and Justin Chapman each scored a goal as the Panthers shut out the Generals 4-0 on Monday at Autauga Academy.

Lannom Bowman had an assist and  Landyn Guidry and Justin Chapman combined in goal for the shutout.  

PCA (4-12) improved to 2-5 in area play and will play host to Alabama Christian Academy on Tuesday.

Trinity 2, Catholic 1 (2OT)

After two scoreless overtimes, Trinity defeated Catholic on penalty kicks to secure the 4A Area 3 victory.

Catholic scored its lone goal in regulation on a kick by senior Stott Blancas assisted by senior Tony Lemuz.

Trinity pulled out the win in overtime with a 5-4 edge in kicks.

Catholic junior Michael Sheffield, in only his second time playing goalkeeper, had 10 saves on 11 shots on goal before the game went to PKs.  

Catholic (11-9) fell to 5-4 in area play and will close out the area season with a Monday game at St. James at 7 p.m.