Lilli Sumblin pitches a shutout, leads Kinston to second straight softball title

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Kinston players celebrate after their victory over Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston players rush coach Andrew Norris as he lifts up the championship trophy after their victory over Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Hackleburg players react to their loss to Kinston during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston's Chloe Phillips puts on her championship hat after her team’s victory over Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston players celebrate after their victory over Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston players, coaches and fans pose for a photo following their victory over Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston players celebrate after their victory over Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston players put their hands on the championship trophy after their victory over Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston players celebrate after their victory over Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Heath Williamson embraces his daughters Kinston's Allyx Williamson and Kinston's Maddie Williamson after their victory over Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston players celebrate after their victory over Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston fans celebrate after securing a victory over Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston and Hackleburg players shake hands following Kinston’s victory during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Hackleburg's Ellie Nichols catches against Kinston's Allyx Williamson during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Hackleburg's Maddie Burt throws against Kinston during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

A woman records a Hackleburg player during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Hackleburg's Mariela Garcia runs for first base against Kinston during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Hackleburg's Hannah Johnson throws against Kinston during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston's Aubrey Norris connects with a pitch against Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Hackleburg coach Hope Sutherland directs her team against Kinston during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston's Adalyn Whigham swings against Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston's Lilli Sublin prepares to swing against Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston's Adalyn Whigham prepares to swing against Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston's Camdyn Norris catches against Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston's Maggie Martin dives for home plate against Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston's Lauren Norris reacts to scoring a run against Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Hackleburg's Braylynn Pope connects with a pitch against Kinston during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston's Maddie Williamson runs for first base against Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston's Lilli Sublin pitches against Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston's Lilli Sublin prepares to swing against Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston fans cheer on their team against Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston coach Andrew Norris directs his team against Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Hackleburg's Braylynn Pope pitches against Kinston during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston's Aubrey Norris catches against Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Kinston's Aubrey Norris runs for home plate against Hackleburg during the AHSAA Class 1A state softball state championship game at Choccolocco Park in Oxford, Ala., Thursday, May 21, 2026. (Will McLelland | preps@al.com)

Lillie Sumblin delivered one more shutout performance to cap off another championship season for Kinston.

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