For the 12th consecutive year, the Ragland Lady Purple Devils have won the area championship. Many of the current Ragland players were not even in school yet when the streak started in 2001.

Ragland easily defeated Appalachian, Gaston and Coosa Christian to win the title.

The Lady Purple Devils outscored their three opponents 44-2 in the three games.

Ragland 15, Appalachian 0

It was a long awaited return to the lineup and Emily Church wasted little time in providing some highlights. In her first at-bat, first pitch she saw, and her first swing, she belted a two-run home run.

Ragland went on to beat Appalachian 15-0 as Sommar Wright tossed a no-hitter. She walked one and struck out seven. She also had two hits.

Church also added a two-run double, and finished the game with four RBIs. J. J. Looney was 2-for-2 and two RBIs. Callie Kay added two hits.

Ragland 14, Gaston 2

Ragland spotted Gaston a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, and then fought back to win the game 14-2 in five innings. Sommar Wright picked up the win. She gave up two hits, one walk and struck out 12.

Kay was 3-for-3 with two RBIs while Leah Byers added two hits and drove in three runs. Church had two hits.

Ragland scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning, one more in the second inning and finished the game in the fifth inning by scoring nine runs.

Ragland 15, Coosa Christian 0

In the title game, Ragland had no problem with Coosa Christian, beating them 15-0 in four innings. Sommar Wright tossed another no-hitter, this one a perfect game. She struck out six. She also was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs.

Kailey Echols had three hits. Byers was 2-for-3 with two RBIs while Lauren Wright had two hits.

Ragland scored 10 runs in the third inning.

With the win, Ragland improved to 24-7 and remained number one in Class 1A with the regional tournament at Liberty Park starting Friday.

The Lady Purple Devils will play South Lamar at 3:30 p.m. Friday.

Contact Gary Hanner at ghanner@thestclairtimes.com.