Sommar Wright pitched a perfect game and two no-hitters, and Emily Church hit her 20th home run of the season last week, leading Ragland’s Lady Purple Devils their 10th consecutive area title. 

Ragland (30-9), ranked third in Class 1A, will play Gaylesville at 12:30 p.m. today in the first round of the North-Central Regional Tournament at the Liberty Park Softball Complex in Vestavia Hills. 

“I’m very proud of everyone for doing what they had to do and getting the job done,” coach Jonathan Nix said of the Lady Devils’ three-game sweep of the Area 11 tournament.  Their first game was a 10-0 shutout against Victory Christian, in which Miss Wright threw a perfect game, striking out 13 batters in five innings.  Miss Church and Madison Oliver were both 3-3 with 2 RBIs, and Brittany Johns was 2-3 with one RBI.

 The second game, a 15-0 shutout against Jacksonville Christian in three innings, was a no-hitter for Miss Wright, and Miss Oliver and Reagan Campbell were both 3-3 with a home run each.  Lauren Wright was 3-3, and Brooke Evans was 2-2.

The championship game was a 13-0 win for Ragland in a rematch against Jacksonville Christian.  Miss Church hit 3-4 with five RBIs and two home runs, including her 20th of the season.  Miss Oliver hit 4-4, J.J. Looney was 2-3, and Sommar Wright hit 3-4.  Miss Wright had eight strikeouts and allowed one walk in each of the last two games.

“We’re right where we want to be at this time of year,” Nix said.  “We’ve won 19 of our last 20 games, and at this point, eight more wins in a row wins it all.  We’re taking it game by game, but we’re excited about the opportunity to advance to Montgomery.

“Our tough schedule has prepared us for the regional tournament.  I know the players will reap what they have sown in hard work.  Our community is very excited about Ragland softball.  We have some of the best fans I have ever been a part of in girls’ softball.  We always have the most fans at games and tournaments.  That really means a lot to the girls and coaches.”