DAPHNE, Alabama — Daphne senior Peyton Grantham left the park in signature style Saturday night—and so did the last ball tossed her way. In her last at bat at Lady Trojan Field, Grantham hit a line drive over the centerfield wall for her 25th home run of the season. The solo shot gave DHS an 11-0 lead in the 6A Area 3 championship game over Robertsdale.

The Lady Golden Bears’ Beth Taylor doubled in a run later to avoid the shutout but the Trojans and junior right-hander Kimberly Small left a total of seven runners on and took the 2013 area title with an 11-1 win.

DHS and RHS now advance to the regional tournament in Gulf Shores which begins Friday.

The Bears made it to the title game with wins over Fairhope 5-0 and earlier over Daphne 8-2 with Carmen Vivar pitching. But the Trojans bounced back with a 9-0 win over Baldwin County and a 9-5 win over RHS to force the third and final deciding game.

“Robertsdale challenged us and gave us a tough battle,” said DHS coach L.T. Yelding. “I’m proud of the girls for shaking off that loss and taking care of business later. Kimberly pitched well and we made some good plays. Swung the bat better, too, after that first game.”

The BCHS Lady Tigers stayed alive with an elimination-round win over the Pirates 1-0. But were then knocked out by DHS. Fairhope defeated Foley 14-3.

Grantham’s homer puts her career total at 67. The incoming University of Alabama Crimson Tide bound slugger is a five-year starter and six-year letterman.

Small (20-5) pitched a pair of five-hitters and struck out a total of 11 for both wins over RHS. Vivar scattered five hits and struck out six in her win over the Lady Trojans.

Freshman Kaydie Messer also homered for DHS Friday night against BCHS. Daphne (36-16) will face the 6A Area 4 runner-up while RHS (25-19-1) will open with that area’s winner.