Jillian Thomas led the eighth-seeded Union Springs softball team to a 3-1 win over No. 9 Harpersville in a first-round Section IV, Class C playoff game Friday. Thomas went the distance for the Wolves, striking out 14.

“She really played well today,” Wolves coach Bob Arliss said. “She was on target all game and hit every one of her spots. She never put a ball down the middle and only got three balls on a girl twice.”

The Wolves will play at top-seeded Elmira-Notre Dame, ranked 12th in the state, at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.

The score in the fourth inning was 1-1 when Union Springs took over. Thomas led off with a double and Meg Murray brought Thomas in on an RBI double. The Wolves got an out and brought sophomore Melena Ott in to pinch run for Murray. Rachel Johnston had a sacrifice bunt and Ott scored from second.

“She is so fast,” Arliss said. “She's a blur.”

Jaimi Jones, Amanda Forney and Kelly Pinckney all had one hit and Pinckney added an RBI. The Hornets threatened to score in the top of the sixth with one out on back-to-back singles. Thomas then got a big strikeout and Johnston came through with a key defensive play for the third out.

Thomas finished the game with three straight punch-outs.

“This was one of her best games all year,” Arliss said.

Union Springs now turn their attention to the Crusaders. The Wolves hope to get the same performance from Thomas as they did against Harpursville.

“If she throws like she did today we will be in the game,” Arliss said. “We will go as far as she takes us.”

Wolves 3

Hornets 1