Lady Patriots win six of seven
Five of Marshall Academy’s seven softball games last week were decided by one run, with the Lady Patriots winning four of those and taking six of seven overall.
A highlight of the week was a 3-2 win Tuesday, Aug. 4, in Cleveland against a talented Bayou Academy squad.
“It was a great team win,” head coach Jamie Rappa said. “Our pitching was phenomenal.” Kendall Matthews started in the circle and tossed five and two-thirds innings. She gave up four hits, struck out two and walked three. Esme Cavender finished the contest and recorded the victory. She gave up three hits, struck out two and walked one.
All five runs in the game were scored in the seventh inning. MA went up 3-0 in the top and the Lady Colts tallied two in the bottom before Cavender closed the door.
Marshall’s Maddie Hudson had two hits, including a double, and two runs-batted-in to lead the offense.
On Monday, Aug. 3, the Lady Patriots went to Calhoun Academy and played two one-run games. They downed Starkville Academy 8-7 and fell 6-5 to the host team. Azley Ashby and Hudson led a 12-hit attack versus Starkville with three hits each. Bailey Thomas drove in three runs. KayLynn Coey was the winning pitcher. In the loss to Calhoun, MA committed three errors.
The Marshall girls pounded 11 hits Wednesday, Aug. 5, in their home opener and dominated DeSoto School 14-6. Thomas and Coey had three RBIs each. Hudson stole four bases. Coey picked up the pitching win with six strikeouts.
The Lady Patriots then won three games Saturday against tough foes in the Copiah Tournament.
Playing at the Magee Sports Complex, MA held on for a 5-4 victory over Leake Academy. Marshall outhit the opposition eight to six, with Hudson getting three hits and two RBIs. Matthews turned in another solid showing from the circle. She struck out five and walked none. The Lady Pats led 5-2 and gave up two runs late, but celebrated the clutch victory.
Game two in the tourney was not close. MA erupted for 15 hits in a 12-2 rout of Brookhaven Academy. Getting three each were Hudson and Kyleigh Milliorn. Aubrey Brigance had three RBIs. Meanwhile, Coey pitched a gem. Coach Rappa said she hit 48 of 50 spots in pitch calls, and the offense fed off of it. Coey gave up only three hits.
The Lady Patriots then wrapped up the weekend with another tight win, 8-7 over Columbia Academy. They scored seven of their runs in a huge fourth inning. Coach Rappa said Cavender “battled” from the circle and earned the win, with Mara Smith recording the save. Hudson led a 10-hit offensive effort with three hits, and she also swiped two bases.
“On the weekend, we made great strides as a team and showed great senior leadership,” he said.
The Lady Patriots (7-1) hosted Calhoun Monday. They will start District 1-3A competition Thursday at home against West Memphis Christian School. They play in the Tri-County Tournament Saturday, Aug. 15, before hosting district foe North Delta School Tuesday, Aug. 18.