Beulah Wins Third Regional Championship in a Row
BY WIL CREWS
SPORTSCREWS@
OPELIKAOBSERVER.COM
BEULAH —
The varsity Beulah Bobcats softball team is one of the final eight ASHAA 3A teams standing.
“We are so excited that Beulah softball qualified for the AHSAA 3A State Varsity Softball Championships,” read a press release from Beulah Athletics Director Adam Johnson.
The State Championship takes place this Wednesday and Thursday (May 17 and 18) at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Alabama.
The Bobcats have been near perfect in 2023. Beulah finished the regular season undefeated in the area, won the postseason area tournament and claimed its third regional championship in a row last week. Now, after reaching the state tournament Final Four in both of the last two years, the Bobcats are looking to complete the job this time around.
“I like the way we’re playing right now,” said head coach Stan Pepper. “We cleared up a few things defensively and I think we’re heading in the right direction.”
Overall, the Bobcats have been led by senior Brandy Phillips, who in 34 games played has posted a .558 batting average, .607 on base percentage, along with five homeruns and 35 RBI. Her no-hitter pitching performance against Childersburg in regionals last week helped lead the Bobcats to the championship game against Saint James. Phillips has accepted a full-ride scholarship to continue her academic and athletic career next year at Wallace State – Hanceville. Two other seniors — Savanna Clements and Amiya Dunn — have played a crucial role in the team’s success this year as well. Clements, shortstop, has accepted a scholarship to continue her academic and athletic career at Lurleen B. Wallace Community College, located in Andalusia, Alabama.
Beulah faces the Mars Hill Bible Panthers in the first round of the 3A State Softball Tournament Wednesday, May 17.
“The community rallies behind us well,” Pepper said. “It lets these girls know what they’re doing and that their accomplishments are something to be proud of, and the support from the community is just a motivation to get even better and bring them home a state title.”
