Marshall Academy softball looks to peak for postseason

The postseason arrives this weekend for the Marshall Academy softball team, and the Lady Patriots are looking to put it all together at the right time.

Head coach Jamie Rappa said his squad is working hard in preparation for the playoffs. The North Regional is Sept. 26 and 28 in Senatobia, and the Class 3A Tournament is Oct. 3 and 5 in Magee. He is assisted by Bart Jenkins and Ryan Ashby.

“As coaches, we feel that we have yet to peak and hope that happens in the near future,” he said. “We showed flashes of excellence early in the season in the Copiah Tournament, so we are confident this team can make a push. We have had different people stepping up along the way, and we long for the collective to do it at the same time.”

The Lady Patriots, unbeaten in District 1-3A play, captured two more district victories on the road last week: 8-7 at North Delta School on Monday, Sept. 14, and 15-0 at West Memphis Christian School the next day.

They fell behind North Delta 7-6 in the bottom of the sixth inning but answered with two runs in the top of the seventh for the win. Marshall had seven hits, led by Bailey Thomas with a triple and Kyleigh Milliorn with a double. KayLynn Coey and Olivia Smith each stole two bases.

Marshall Academy used three pitchers: Esme Cavender, Kendall Matthews and Coey.

The game in neighboring Arkansas on Tuesday, Sept. 15, was no contest. The Lady Patriots scored eight runs in the top of the first and cruised to victory. Maddie Hudson had a big day at the plate with three hits, including a home run, and four RBIs. Milliorn also had three hits. Driving in two runs each were Coey, Olivia Smith and Mara Smith. Milliorn stole three bases, and Hudson had two.

Mara Smith was the winning pitcher, allowing just one hit, striking out two and walking one in three innings.

The Lady Patriots (16-6-2) are busy in the final week of the regular season. They hosted Lee Academy on Monday to wrap up district play before hosting Magnolia Heights School on Tuesday. They travel to DeSoto School on Wednesday and host Starkville Academy on Thursday for Senior Night.