Lafayette has won 13 straight district championships. 

JASPER — Haley Ellefson’s softball career at Lafayette has been filled with individual and team accolades. The senior added to her long list of accomplishments with a standout performance in Thursday’s district championship game. 

With LHS and Madison County tied at 3 in the bottom of the fifth inning, Ellefson blasted the go-ahead home run to right field. The Hornets made the run count, holding on for a 4-3 victory to earn their 13th consecutive district title.  

“Tie ballgame, the intensity was really high — I loved it,” Ellefson said of her last at-bat. “I saw it coming straight in and drove it with my hands.”

As her high school playing days come to a close, Ellefson, a Florida SouthWestern State signee, is in the midst of an incredible run at the plate. She’s on an 11-game hitting streak, which includes seven home runs in her last 38 at-bats. 

Not only did she come through with the bat on Thursday, Ellefson also pitched a scoreless seventh inning to get the save. 

“Haley is Haley. She hit the winning home run and comes in and throws heat at the end. We’re going to miss her,” said Hornets coach Tommy Chambers. 

Ellefson came on in relief of sophomore Richelle McDonald, who pitched another good game against Madison County (17-7).    

McDonald navigated through a difficult MCHS lineup with excellent location and off-speed pitches. She allowed five hits and two earned runs in six innings. 

“I had confidence going in,” said McDonald, who had beaten MCHS twice in the regular season. “Changeup was my go-to. It was on.”

McDonald’s only mistake came in the top of the fifth inning when Reese Rutherford hit a curveball for a two-run home run that tied the game at 3. 

Lafayette (16-10) took an early lead, scoring three crucial runs in the first inning off of Rutherford. The Hornets took advantage of two walks, a hit-by-pitch and singles from Ragan Barnes, Charlie James and Hannah Murray. The only hit Rutherford allowed after the first inning was Ellefson’s home run. 

UP NEXT: Lafayette hosts a regional semifinal on May 3. The Hornets will play the loser of tonight’s game between Union County and Hilliard.      

Box score

								R	H	E
Madison County	0	1	0	0	2	0	0	3	5	2
Lafayette	3	0	0	0	1	0	–	4	4	4

Ellefson — 1-2, home run, BB, 2 runs — 1 inning pitched, save

Barnes — 1-3, 1 run

James — 1-3, 1 run

McDonald — 0-1, RBI, HBP — 6 innings pitched, 5 hits, 2 earned runs, 2 strikeouts

Murray — 1-3, RBI