Lady Patriots win tournament crown


Thursday, August 16, 2012
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Lady Patriots win tournament crown

Photo by Jane Ann Autry

The Marshall girls are pictured with their championship trophy at the Lee Academy Tournament Saturday. In front, from left, are Shelby Hangey, Blake Martin, Darcie Gibson, Alexis McGreger, Hannah Carpenter and Hayleigh Mason. In back, same order, are Sam Paris, Hannah Pasco, Maura Autry, Elizabeth Skelton, Megan Watkins, Kat Moore, Hailey McMinn and Alaken McNeer.

In five games last week, the Marshall Academy softball team outscored its opponents 54-5.

That included three shutouts en route to taking the first-place trophy in the Lee Academy Tournament Saturday at Clarksdale.

The Lady Patriots improved to 9-1 overall.

“We are pleased with where we are at this point in the season,” coach Carlton Gibson said. “The real season starts Tuesday (of this week) with district play. Saturday will be tough as we travel to Starkville (for a tournament) to play some of the top teams in the state.”

MA 14 Clarksdale 4

Marshall got off to a solid start Monday, Aug. 6, at home against Lee (Clarksdale).

Kat Moore opened the game with a walk and the Lady Patriots followed with five hits in a row, from Maura Autry, Macie McClure, Hayleigh Mason, Megan Watkins and Darcie Gibson, to put five runs on the board.

Gibson started in the circle. Lee had a couple of base runners in the first and second but did not score.

Moore singled and scored in the second. The Lady Colts pushed three runs across in the third to make it 6-3. MA got two back in the third with singles by Moore and McClure.

Alaken McNeer went to the circle in the fourth and allowed two base runners but no one scored.

The Lady Pats would push the game out of reach in the fourth. They sent 10 batters to the plate and scored six runs off hits by Alexis McGreger, Blake Martin, Mason, Watkins, Shelby Hangey, Elizabeth Skelton, and Hailey McMinn.

Lee was able to score one more in the fifth off an error and a hit.

MA 14 West Memphis 1

Photos by Jane Ann Autry

Alexis McGreger of Marshall Academy is ready to put the tag on a sliding West Memphis player last week.

McNeer got the start in the circle, pitching three innings and giving up two hits and one run. Sam Paris went in in relief and pitched two solid innings. She walked one and gave up no hits.

Leading the offense for MA were Mason, who went three for three with two doubles, and Gibson, who went three for four with two doubles. Also picking up hits were Hannah Pasco, Martin, Watkins, Skelton and McNeer.

Clarksdale Lee Tournament
Game 1 MA 8 Delta 0

“We went to Clarksdale to see good pitching and the Delta senior pitcher, Miranda Cuff, gave us just that,” Coach Gibson said. “It took our hitters one time through to start hitting but once we focused in we hit very well off a very good pitcher.”

The game highlight was a three-run homer over the right field wall by Moore, a sophomore. Mason had two doubles. Skelton picked up two hits and Watkins and McNeer each connected for a single.

“Even the girls who did not get a hit, hit the ball hard and that was what we were hoping for,” coach Marcus Moore said.

McNeer earned the win in the circle, giving up just three hits.

Game 2 MA 9 Lee AR 0

Catcher Kat Moore and pitcher Alaken McNeer share a smile versus Lee in the tournament.

The Marshall offense was once again led by Moore, who tripled off the fence to start the game.

Gibson, Hangey and McNeer each had a double, Skelton, Mason and Watkins each singled.

Gibson got the start in the circle. She pitched four innings, giving up just one hit and no walks and striking out eight.

Finals MA 9 C. Lee 0

McNeer was the starting pitcher. She tossed a complete seven-inning game, giving up six hits and three walks, while striking out five.

Moore continued to swing the red hot bat. She was three for four from the plate. Watkins picked up two singles; Mason and Gibson each got a double; and McMinn and McGreger each singled.

Schedule

The Lady Patriots hosted District 1-AA foe Kirk Academy Tuesday at home. They will face North Delta Thursday at 4 p.m. on the MA campus in Holly Springs. Saturday, they will play in a prestigious tournament at Starkville.

Next Monday, Aug. 20, and Tuesday, Aug. 21, they face district opponents Carroll (at home at 4 p.m.) and Kirk (away), respectively.

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