The Maplesville softball team was playing well and off to a 5-2 start before slipping because of shaky defense and an injury to the non-throwing arm of ace pitcher and No. 3 hitter Courtney Killingsworth.

The Red Devils (12-10, 2-2 area) on Monday defeated Billingsley, 9-2, in Killingsworth’s first game back, a contest that also featured Maplesville’s improved glovework.

“She did well. We’re just amazed that she’s back,” Maplesville coach Ashlie Harrison said about Killingsworth, who went 1-for-4 with one run scored and one RBI at the plate while also earning the win from the circle by holding the Bears (4-10, 3-1) to two first-inning runs. “We were worried she wouldn’t be able to hit, but she hit in the cage before the game and looked fine.

“The biggest thing is our defense has been better the past few games. We got focused. I think we realized that this is it, this is the end of the season.”

With Killingsworth out, eighth grader Autumn Smith kept the Devils afloat by starting most of the 15 games since the injury. With their ace back and a newfound focus, Maplesville may be peaking at the right time of the season, with the Chilton County Softball Tournament scheduled for next week and area tournaments the week after.

After falling behind 2-0 after the top of the first inning, Maplesville’s first four batters—Katlyn Freeman (4/4), Morgan Little (2/4, 3B), Killingsworth and Cheyenne Sheffield—hit safely before a Bayne Edwards (2/3) single with two outs scored two to make it 4-2.

Freeman scored in the second inning and again in the third as part of a four-run rally that finalized the score.

Killingsworth allowed zero runs, three hits and zero walks after the first inning.