SPANISH FORT – Players and fans alike were on ice much of Friday and Saturday, but the action was hot all weekend for the first annual Baldwin County softball tournament.

Fairhope’s Lady Pirates claimed the title with a 9-1 win over Baldwin County High at Spirit Park in Spanish Fort on Saturday. The event was hosted by the SFHS Lady Toros.

The BCHS Lady Tigers went up 1-0 early, but Fairhope tied it in the third.

An eight-run fourth then put Fairhope up for good.

Both teams had one loss in pool play going into the championship. BCHS beat the Lady Pirates 6-5 and Gulf Shores topped the Lady Tigers 10-4.

On Saturday, the Lady Pirates handed Daphne the Lady Trojans’ first loss of the year 6-0 in their semifinal while the Lady Tigers came from behind to top Foley 3-2 in the other semi.

“It was just a team effort,” said Fairhope head coach Johnathan Heflin who added he couldn’t single out one player. “We had contributions from everyone.”

Heflin did say the work of his two pitchers, sophomore Farish Beard and eighth-grader Grey Adams was key.

BCHS head coach Anthony Cox agreed Beard was on her game and made it hard for his team to get back into it.

“But I’m really proud of my girls,” he said. “They played a great tournament. Candace Guy pitched a great game for us. Our girls are working hard, though, and we’re looking forward to a great season.”

The Lady Tigers get a rematch Wednesday night in Bay Minette at BCHS at 6:30 p.m.

Beard’s title win put her at 4-1 (3-0 in the tournament) while Adams is at 1-1 but went 3-for-3 at the plate in the final.

Heflin said his team speed worked well. “We tried to be aggressive on the bases,” he said. “We were able to capitalize on some mistakes. We knew it would be a battle. You don’t play any team in Baldwin County and not have a fight on your hands. Winning the county tournament is a great honor for us.”

Jimesha Bennett got the scoring started in the final. The BCHS centerfielder walked, stole two bases and scored on a fielder’s choice hit into by Rachel Wood.

The Lady Pirates tied it when freshman Megan Dowdy singled, stole second and scored on an error induced by Jordan Cantrell’s bat.

Adams led off the Fairhope fourth with a double and scored when Courtney Piesco forced a fielder’s choice for a 2-1 FHS lead.

The Lady Pirates then plated seven more in the inning on singles by senior Emily Miller (2RBIs) and Adams, and RBI walk and three errors. Run nine came in the fifth when Stephanie Dunaway walked and later scored on an error.

Guy took the loss for BCHS.

In quarterfinal action, Fairhope eliminated Gulf Shores 6-2, Foley advanced with a 5-3 win over SFHS BCHS edged Robertdale’s Lady Bears 1-0 and Daphne remained undefeated until the semi with Fairhope.