Lady Pats get four more wins

The Marshall Academy Lady Patriots scorched a pair of district opponents last week before going 2-0 in its own tournament.

MA racked up 33 runs in the four games, while holding their opponents to only three.

“Our pitching is dominating,” head coach Carlton Gibson said. “And Natalie (Shaw) is a difference maker behind the plate.”

MA opened the week Monday, Aug. 23, with a 102 win over District 1-4A foe Lee Academy in Clarksdale.

Coach Gibson’s crew jumped on the Lady Colts early, scoring five runs in the top of the first inning.

Marshall produced 14 hits in the win.

Leading the way was Christa Schultz with four hits and a run-batted-in. Natalie Shaw and Kamdyn Taylor each had two hits and two RBIs. Hallie Turner connected for two hits, one of those a triple, and a RBI. Gracie Rappa added a pair of hits. Getting one hit each were Landry Loper and Eliza Cavender.

Carlie Vannucci pitched the full seven innings for the win. She struck out six, walked two and gave up eight hits.

The next day the Lady Patriots hit the road again, this time to Grenada, where they routed Kirk Academy 16-0 in a district contest.

MA left no doubts early, scoring three runs in the first and five in the second. The scoring barrage continued with three more in the third and five in the fourth to end the game early.

Schultz again carried the big bat in the 10-hit attack. She had three hits, including two doubles, and five RBIs. Loper followed with a couple of hits.

“Christa (Schultz) hit very well against Kirk and Lee,” Coach Gibson said.

Shaw’s double scored a pair of runs. Vannucci and Taylor also doubled, with Taylor driving in two runs.

Turner and Rappa each had a hit.

Vannucci threw all four innings for the win from the circle. She struck out seven, walked two and gave up three hits.

MA hosted a tourney on Saturday in Holly Springs and opened the event with a 5-1 win over rival Magnolia Heights, their second over the Lady Chiefs this season.

MA scored three runs in the first and two in the third. Magnolia Heights’ lone run came in the fourth.

Turner had two of the Lady Pats’ six hits. Schultz and Vannucci each contributed a hit and two RBIs. Getting one hit each were Meredith Anthony and Taylor.

Vannucci pitched the victory. In four innings of work against Class 5A Magnolia Heights, she struck out seven, walked none and gave up three hits.

Turner then tossed a onehitter as Marshall knocked off Copiah Academy 2-0 in the one-day tourney.

She struck out six in five innings of work and walked two. Loper led the MA offensive effort with three hits, including a triple, while Turner followed with two hits.

Getting a hit and an RBI apiece were Shaw and Taylor. Vannucci also connected for a hit.

Marshall scored both of its runs in the top of the first inning, and that proved to be more than enough for Turner to get the victory from the circle.

The Lady Patriots (12-2 overall and 4-0 in the district) will next face four district opponents. They were slated to visit Oak Hill Academy on Tuesday of this week. They will host North Delta School Wednesday to wrap up the week.

Next Tuesday, Sept. 7, they go to Rossville Academy, Tenn., and then they host Lee Academy Wednesday, Sept. 8, in a district contest.