Lady Jackets will face Lovelady in playoffs
BY JEREME HUBBARD

The Alto Lady Jackets wrapped up an undefeated district schedule last week, and then had to sit and wait anxiously to find out who their first playoff opponent would be.

The Lady Jackets did not have to wait very long to find out who they would meet in the area round of the Class 1A playoffs, as Lovelady dominated Pineland West Sabine 16-6 and 9-7 to sweep the best of three series.

Alto will now face Lovelady in the area championship game at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Crockett High School.

Lovelady is coming into the game off of their first ever playoff win. The Lady Lions had never qualified for postseason play before this season.

These two teams are on opposite ends of the playoff spectrum, with Alto being a perennial playoff participant. In fact, in the 15 years that softball has been recognized as an official UIL sport, Alto has been in the playoffs 11 of those years.

This season also marks the tenth consecutive playoff appearance for Alto, dating back to the 1999 team that won the Class 2A state championship. Heaven Liles, sophomore pitcher for Alto, is the sister of Alison Liles, who was the pitcher on the 1999 team.

The Lady Jackets also reached the state championship game in 2000 and 2002.

In 2007, Alto advanced to the regional quarterfinal round before falling to state-ranked Dallardsville Big Sandy.

The winner of the game will advance to the regional quarterfinal round where they will face the winner of Mt. Enterprise and Dallardsville Big Sandy.