MA blanks North Delta

The Marshall Academy Lady Patriots started the week with a rout of North Delta and then went 1-1-1 in their own tournament.

The Lady Patriots moved to 6-5-1 on the season.

“Our defense was really good last week, and our offense showed signs of improvement,” coach Carlton Gibson said. “We just need to keep getting better.”

MA got off to a strong start in District 1-3A play by blasting the Lady Green Wave 15-0 at home on Tuesday, Aug. 6.

The Lady Pats scored eight runs in the first inning and seven in the second.

Hallie Turner had a pair of hits, one of those a double, and five runs-batted-in. Rayne Rippee had a hit and three RBIs. Kylie Gurley and Tyler Vannucci each had a hit and two RBIs. Carlie Vannucci also had a hit.

C. Vannucci pitched for the win. In three innings of work due to the run rule, she struck out six, gave up only one hit and walked none.

Marshall then threw the first pitch of its own tournament at Gibson Field (Swords Sports Complex) Saturday and went on to knock off The Illusions 6-0. The Lady Patriots scored all of their runs in the top of the second.

R. Rippee and Turner each connected for a double and two RBIs. C. Vannucci had a hit and one RBI. T. Vannucci also added a hit.

C. Vannucci was the winning pitcher. In the shortened game due to time limit, she gave up no hits, struck out one and walked one.

In their second game of the tourney, the MA softball squad battled to a 1-1 tie versus Brookhaven Academy.

The pitchers dominated.

Turner limited the Lady Cougars to just one hit. She also struck out five and walked three.

Marshall managed three hits, one each from Turner, Gurley and Faith Shankle.

Brookhaven scored its run in the top of the third. Marshall tied it in the bottom of the fourth. The game ended in the fifth due to the time limit.

The Lady Patriots then met rival Magnolia Heights in the final game of the tournament and came up short, 6-5.

MA took a 5-3 lead in the top of the fourth but couldn’t hang on. The Lady Chiefs scored three in the bottom of the fourth and held on in the fifth for the win.

The Lady Patriots outhit the opposition nine to five.

C. Vannucci led the offense with two hits, one of those a double. Also adding a double each were Anna Lauren Bain and Gurley.

Getting a single each were Turner, T. Vannucci, Zoey Rippee, Avery Neal and Shankle.

Marshall left six runners on base in the one-run loss.

C. Vannucci and Turner pitched for the Lady Patriots.

MA hosted Lee Academy in district action Tuesday. They travel to Magnolia Heights Thursday and play in the Tri-County Tournament Saturday. Next Monday, Aug. 19, they visit Kirk Academy in Grenada.