Alyssa Tidwell and Olivia Crouch combined to shut out Brooks and the East Limestone offense did just enough in a 1-0 win in the first round of the Class 5A, Area 16 softball tournament Thursday afternoon.

The Indians are the top seed and host of the tournament, but struggled to put away No. 4 seed Brooks in the opening game.

The only run was scored in the bottom of the fourth inning when Kaci Sharp hit a two-out double that scored Savannah Tyler from second base. Tyler had drawn a walk earlier in the inning and advanced to second on Mallory Jo Mitchell’s single.

While Sharp’s double turned out to be the difference, perhaps the play of the game was made in the top of the fourth inning, when right fielder Maddison Watkins saved at least two runs with a splendid defensive play. With two outs and the bases loaded, Brooks’ Kailey Moreland hit a line drive to right field that looked like it would get down for a hit. But Watkins saved the day with a diving catch that kept the game scoreless and set the stage for the Indians to take the lead in the bottom of the inning.

That was the only run East would need, as Tidwell kept Brooks scoreless for 6 1/3 innings before she was lifted after giving up a single in the top of the seventh.

Crouch came in and got a ground out and a pop out to end the game.

East only had three hits in the game, with Taylor Jones hitting a single to go along with Mitchell’s and Sharp’s hits.

The tournament champion and runner-up will advance to the North Regional tournament in Huntsville next week.