The Lady Warriors found themselves in position for a big win.

But Sullivan East deflated Happy Valley’s chances with a two-run homer from Katelyn Loudy in the sixth to break a 5-5 tie, propelling the Lady Patriots to a 7-5 victory during the District 1-AA softball tournament Wednesday in Elizabethton.

The lost brought Happy Valley’s season to an end after the Lady Warriors fought to be one of the final four teams left in the tournament.

“I am proud of these girls,” said Happy Valley head coach Cody Hyder. “They had a good year. They went from suppose to be dead last in the conference to being fifth in the conference and being in the final four during the tournament.

“At one point in time, they competed with everyone in this conference and some three A teams,” Hyder continued. “There isn’t much more you can ask for. If I had a group of seniors like I had this year every year, I would be a lucky coach.”

Hyder seemed very optimistic about the future of Lady Warriors softball after Wednesday’s game.

“There is a bunch of good talent on the team,” said Hyder. “You have Abby Holt who is obviously going to be great. She is a top-two freshman pitcher in this conference. You have Olivia Absher, who is one of the better sticks. She is a sophomore at shortstop. Claire (Johnson) she is at second. You have Kadie (Havner) and Maci (Puckett) at the corners. You also Allie Grindstaff, Cierra Southerland in the outfield. So this team is going to be good.”

Happy Valley got on the scoreboard in the top of the first with HV’s Olivia Kelly bringing in teammate Kaitlyn Roberts with a single. The Lady Patriots answered in the bottom of the frame to tie things up at 1-1.

Sullivan East worked to a 4-1 lead over the next two innings before the Lady Warriors found the momentum for four runs in the fourth frame. Happy Valley’s Claire Johnson smacked a two-run single before teammates Holt and Absher had an RBI single each as HV moved ahead 5-4.

East would score a run in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game up 5-5.

The Lady Warriors had a productive night at the plate as they collected 12 hits. Johnson and Absher each had three hits apiece while Cierra Sutherland finished with two hits.