FLORENCE — Athens looked as if it would extend its season at least one more game, holding a three-run lead over Hartselle with just six outs to get in an elimination game at the Class 5A North Regional tournament.

However, Hartselle’s Emily Cowart hit a three-run homer to tie the score at 5-5, and Athens blew a golden opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the seventh when a runner was picked off at third base.

Hartselle made the Golden Eagles pay for that mistake by scoring three runs in the top of the eighth and holding on for an 8-5 win.

Hartselle scored a run in the top of the first, but Athens came right back with four runs in the bottom of the inning to take an early 4-1 lead.

Olivia McCurry, Emma Ogden and Kadence Miller had RBI singles in the frame, while Alli Patterson drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

Hartselle got a run back in the top of the third on a solo home run by Lillyanna Cartee, but Athens answered with a run in the bottom of the inning when Anna Carder scored on a wild pitch.

However, Athens couldn’t hang on as Hartselle tied the game on Cowart’s home run. Athens had a chance to win the game in the bottom of the seventh, putting a runner at third with no outs. However, a shallow flyout, a pick off and another fly out ended the inning.

Hartselle then scored three runs in the top of the eighth, with two of them scoring on a double by Kylie Winton. Athens went down in order in the bottom of the eighth to end the game.

Morgan Stiles had a double to lead Athens, while Gracie Green, McCurry, Ogden, Miller and Lilly Cain also had hits for the Golden Eagles.

Athens 6, Cullman 1

Athens’ tournament got off to an exciting start, as the Golden Eagles entered the bottom of the sixth inning trailing Cullman 1-0 before scoring six times in the frame to take the victory.

The Golden Eagles used small ball to load the bases, as back-to-back bunts resulted in an infield hit and an error to load the bases with no outs. Athens then took the lead on another error before Anna Carder drove in the third run of the inning with a single.

After yet another bunt single loaded the bases, Alli Patterson drove in all three runs with a double that put the game out of reach.

Athens got outstanding pitching from the duo of Brenin Ezell and Deann Motquin. Ezell pitched the first 4 2/3 innings, before Motquin pitched the final 2 1/3 to close the game.

Mary Greg Anderson and Morgan Stiles had doubles for Athens, while Olivia McCurry and Emma Ogden also had hits for the Golden Eagles.

Buckhorn 8, Athens 0

Buckhorn scored seven runs in the second inning to take control early, and Athens couldn’t mount a comeback against Bucks pitching Thursday night.

Athens was held to just five hits in the game, as the Golden Eagles fell into the loser’s bracket, where they would have to win three consecutive games to advance to the state tournament.

Emma Ogden, Kadence Miller, Morgan Stiles, Gracie Green and Olivia McCurry had hits for Athens in the loss.

Athens 16, Oxford 3

Athens scored 10 runs in the bottom of the second inning to take control and crushed Oxford to stay alive in the regional tournament.

The Golden Eagles pounded out 19 hits in just four at-bats, and Anna Carder blasted a grand slam to lead the way.

Carder’s round-tripper gave Athens an 8-0 lead in the second inning. Athens scored three more runs in the inning to take an 11-0 lead.

The Golden Eagles added two more runs in the third and capped off the game with three runs in the fourth.

Mary Greg Anderson and Emma Ogden each had three hits, with one of Anderson’s hits being a triple. Morgan Stiles, Gracie Green, Olivia McCurry, Kadence Miller, Lili Cain and Carder all had two hits each.

Brenin Ezell and Skylar Anderson combined in the circle to allow four hits and two earned runs. Ezell pitched the first three innings and Anderson tossed the final two.