Lady Patriots win two of three in district

The Marshall Academy Lady Patriots took to the fastpitch softball diamond four straight days last week and got off to a 2-1 start versus District 1-3A competition.

On Monday, Aug. 18, at home, MA opened district play with an 11-7 loss to Kirk Academy. The game was tied at seven going to the seventh, and that’s when the Lady Patriots gave up four runs and couldn’t bounce back in the bottom of the inning.

Marshall had 11 hits to Kirk’s eight. Kendall Matthews led the Lady Pats with three hits and two runs-batted-in. Gracie Rappa added two hits, and Kyleigh Milliorn drove in two runs.

MA hit the road to Batesville Tuesday, Aug. 19, and earned its first district win of the season by crushing North Delta School 14-5. Eight of the Lady Patriots’ runs came in the top of the fifth.

Leading a 14-hit offensive outburst were Rappa with three hits and three RBIs, Aurora Cervantes with three hits, and Aubrey Brigance and Milliorn, each with two hits and two RBIs. Azley Ashby had two RBIs. Stealing two bases each were Cervantes, Milliorn and Luci Tomlinson.

Matthews pitched a full five innings for the victory. She gave up five hits, struck out one and walked four.

The Lady Patriots packed their bags for Cleveland Wednesday, Aug. 20, and dropped an 8-4 decision to the Class 4A Bayou Academy. The Lady Colts scored five in the bottom of the second.

MA again outhit its opponent but five errors proved costly in the loss. Getting two hits each for Marshall were Eliza Cavender and Rappa. Matthews drove in two runs with a double.

The Lady Pats wrapped up their busy week with a 16-1 rout of district opponent West Memphis Christian School Thursday, Aug. 21, in neighboring Arkansas. They scored five in the first, two in the second, five in the third and four in the fourth.

Charlie Johnson carried the big bat. She connected for three hits, two of those doubles, and drove in four runs. Cervantes followed with two hits and three RBIs. Six Lady Patriots got in on the 11-hit attack.

Matthews picked up the win from the circle in three innings of work. She struck out five, walked two and gave up one hit. Milliorn struck out two to close out the game.

The Lady Patriots (6-6) host Magnolia Heights on Thursday. Next Tuesday, Sept. 2, they welcome Lee Academy to the MA campus for a district matchup.