Springville’s Lady Tigers beat Cullman 5-0 in the first game of the North-Central Regional Tournament.

Springville advances to regional as the Area 11 runner-up to top-ranked Mortimer Jordan.  The Lady Tigers are ranked fourth in Class 5A.

This weekend’s games will mark senior Taylor Earley’s last appearance in post-season regional competition.  The Lady Tigers’ second baseman, the daughter of Tim and Gillian Earley, recently spoke about her love of softball and where she’s headed after Springville.

On softball:  “I’ve always loved the game.  It’s the only sport I’ve ever really played.”  She began learning softball at age three and has played on Springville’s varsity team since she was in seventh grade.  “I like middle infield.  You cover a lot of ground, and it works out well that my sister (Tanner) is shortstop.  We’ve made a pretty good team.”

After high school:  Graduating with a 3.89 GPA, she will attend Shelton State Community College in Tuscaloosa on a softball scholarship.  “It’s not too far from home, and there’s a good atmosphere on the campus.  They also have a good softball program there.”

What she plans to study:  “Engineering.  I may narrow it down, but I haven’t decided that yet.  Alabama and Auburn have the engineering programs I’m looking for, so ending up at either one of those schools would be fine with me.”

Her favorite academic subject:  “Math.  It’s usually my highest grade.  It’s always come easy for me.”