Last-inning explosion blasts Hartselle to state softball tourney

FLORENCE — Hartselle head softball coach Anna Hall was understandably overcome with emotion. In what was one of the most improbable comebacks one could ever expect to see in a high school sporting event, Hartselle overcame a five-run deficit in the final inning, defeating Athens 17-16 on KJ Prater's walk-off RBI single. With the win, Hartselle earned the Class 6A, North Regional championship and punched its ticket to the state softball tournament for the first time since 2019. "I honestly don't know what to say," Hall said. "I'm so excited, and I'm so proud. I know a lot of coaches...