GULF SHORES, Ala. — The Fairhope Pirates topped the Mobile Christian Leopards 4-1 in the championship game of the Gulf Coast Classic III softball tournament at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex on Wednesday.

The Pirates (30-3), ranked No. 3 in 6A, scored four runs in the top of the second and used the pitching of Farish Beard and Grey Adams to hold off the Leopards to close out the championship game win. In the second, Lacey Dorsey scored, Courtney Piesco drove in Adams with a single, Catherine Knight sent Hannah Brown home on a bunt and Hannah Qualls had a sacrifice fly RBI.

Beard had five strikeouts and gave up three hits and a run in four innings to get the win. Adams struck out one in one inning of relief to get the save.

Fairhope defeated Faith Academy 4-2 in the semis and beat Robertsdale earlier in the day to advance to the finals.

The Pirates went 8-1 in the tournament, with their only loss against Saraland in pool play on Tuesday.

For the full story, pick up our Friday, April 22 edition.