When Athens needed him most, Jacob McNairy came through and pitched the Golden Eagles to within one victory of a Class 6A playoff berth.

The Alabama signee pitched a complete-game two-hit shutout as Athens defeated Florence 2-0 in a crucial Class 6A, Area 16 matchup Thursday.

The two teams were to play a rescheduled doubleheader in Florence Friday night, with Athens needing to win only one game to clinch a playoff spot. If Florence wins both games, the Falcons could take the playoff place.

Neither team could get much offense going Thursday, as Florence finished with just two hits and Athens had but four. However, the Golden Eagles were able to push across a run in the third inning on an Ethan Tease single and another in the fourth due to a Florence error.

That was all the run support McNairy would need as he struck out seven Florence batters without walking any. He got into a little trouble in the seventh, as Florence put two runners on base with nobody out. But McNairy expertly pitched out of trouble, getting two groundouts and a fly out to end the game.

Bailey Odell led Athens with two hits, including a double. Tease and Bryson Kirk had the other hits for the Golden Eagles.

Ardmore 8, Lee-Huntsville 5

Ardmore is within one victory of clinching the Class 5A, Area 15 championship after a come-from-behind victory over Lee Thursday evening.

The Tigers trailed 3-1 before taking the lead with four runs in the top of the third inning. Jason Hogan started the scoring with an RBI double and Nick Embrey followed that up with a two-run double. An error allowed the fourth run of the inning to score.

Lee cut the lead to 5-4 after five innings, but Jacob Reed answered with a solo home run and Tucker Reed hit and RBI single in the sixth to give Ardmore some breathing room.

Tucker Reed and Taylor Calder led Ardmore with three hits each, while Embrey had two RBIs for the Tigers.

Jacob Reed was the winning pitcher, allowing two earned runs in seven hits in six innings of work.

West Limestone 6, Lauderdale County 5

West Limestone overcame an early deficit Thursday by plating five runs in the fourth and fifth innings and then held on for a win over Lauderdale County.

The Wildcats trailed 2-1 before scoring three runs in the fourth and then added two more in the fifth. Lauderdale County mounted a comeback with three runs in the sixth inning, but Clayten Pugh came out of the bullpen to pitch a scoreless seventh inning and close out the victory.

Levi McCormick had two hits and an RBI for West Limestone, while Jesse Rose had a double and an RBI. Braden Tuten also had a hit and drove in two runs, and Pugh drove in a run with a hit.

Garrett Tennison was the winning pitcher, working the first six innings and allowing four earned runs on eight hits while striking out five.

Russellville 19-5, East Limestone 8-8

East Limestone split a doubleheader with Russellville Thursday night, dropping the first game 19-8 before coming back to win the second game 8-5.

Payton Jackson led East Limestone in the first game with two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs. Brison Wooten and Zachary Pyles also had two hits for the Indians. Pyles, Wooten and Clayton Stevens all had doubles as well.

Jackson homered again for East Limestone in the nightcap, and had four RBIs to lead the Indians to victory. Cameron Johnson also had two RBIs for East, and Stevens added a double.

Lindsay Lane 16, Paint Rock Valley 0

Three pitchers combined for a no-hitter Thursday afternoon as Lindsay Lane Christian blasted Paint Rock Valley.

Drew Turpen, Charlie Morrison and Caleb Johnson combined on the no hitter, striking out 10 batters.

The Lions put the game away early, scoring 11 runs in the top of the second inning to put the game out of reach.

Turpen also had five hits, including a home run, and three RBIs, while Morrison had four hits, including a triple, and drove in three runs. Brady Anderson added three hits and two RBIs.

Cameron Stutts had two hits and three RBIs, while Lee Davis and Camden Shields each had two hits for the Lions.