After an easy win in its season opener, the Billingsley softball team scuffled, losing its next four, often in heartbreaking fashion.

But with a 16-1, four-inning win over Autaugaville yesterday in their first Class 1A, Area 5 game, the Bears (2-4) might have rediscovered the form that took them last year to the sub-state round of the playoffs for the first time in school history.

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Breanna Kent, Billingsley—3/3, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI

Halie Taylor, Billingsley—2/3, 2B, 2 R, RBI

Wendy Raines, Billingsley—3/3, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI

Mary Beth Walker, Billingsley—3/3, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI

Every Billingsley batter in the starting lineup recorded at least one hit and scored at least one run yesterday, though the visitors struck first on an unearned run with two outs in the top of the first inning.

Billingsley then stranded two runners on base in the bottom of the inning.

But the hosts squashed any thoughts of an upset with nine runs on 11 hits and two Autaugaville errors in the bottom of the second. 14 Bears went to the plate, and six of them hit consecutively after the first out of the inning.

The third inning was similar as the hosts struck for seven runs on six hits and two errors.

Summer Gaither was the winning pitcher for Billingsley. She held Autaugaville to one unearned run on one hit and two walks in four innings while striking out eight.

Billingsley will visit Isabella at 5:30 p.m. on March 24.