BROOKHAVEN — With starting pitcher Ashleigh Williams injured and Brianna Henson sore from her last outing, Adams County Christian School head coach Rick Fife turned to freshman Shelby Mason in the South State tournament.

In a 5-2 win against Cathedral High School, Mason pitched all seven innings, allowing only one run, while striking out six batters and walking only two.

“She came up huge for us today,” Fife said. “This was her first varsity start, and Shelby pitched strikes. She was hitting the corners and really hitting her spot.”

Cathedral head coach Gary Blackwell said though his team totaled 10 hits in the loss, most of the hits came late in the game.

“We couldn’t get the timely hits,” Blackwell said. “We got a lot of people on base, but we just couldn’t get that good hit when we needed it.”

ACCS took a 2-1 lead into the seventh inning of the contest.

In the top of the seventh, ACCS’ Anna McDaniel led off with a single before being moved over on a Henson single. Jordan Petty then stepped to the plate and delivered one of her two doubles, scoring McDaniel. Bailey Boyd stepped up later in the inning and connected with a 2-RBI double to give ACCS a 5-1 advantage.

“It definitely felt good to get the win against Cathedral because now we’re going to be the No. 3 seed Saturday and face the No. 2 seed instead of the No. 1 seed,” Fife said.

Starting pitcher Ashleigh Williams did not play in the win, still rehabbing from a shoulder contusion.

“I think she’ll be ready by the time we play Saturday,” Fife said.

In the loss, Elizabeth Smith recorded a double and struck out six batters.

Immediately following the game’s conclusion, ACCS battled Simpson Academy and fell 17-0.

Both ACCS and Cathedral will play Saturday in the state tournament with (14-16) ACCS being the No. 3 seed and (10-12) Cathedral being the No. 4 seed.