The Newton County Academy Lady Generals finished out their softball season this past weekend after winning one game in the state tournament.
The Lady Generals qualified for the state tournament on Monday after beating Amite 9-2 but was eliminated by Brookhaven 10-0. Then on Saturday, the Lady Generals lost 6-3 to Marshall in the opening round and beat Manchester 6-3 in the losers’ bracket. Their season came to an end a game later in a 13-1 loss to Clinton Christian.
“We had an awesome end to our season,” NCA coach Brooke Steele said. “Those girls made history Saturday. We placed fifth in the state and that included Louisiana. I could not be more proud. We lose our senior, Lexie Bounds, and she will be a hard replacement. She brought a lot to this team. But we will come back stronger next year.
“So far in my two years at NCA, we have progressed and advanced a little further. It won’t be long before we take a state title. I have full faith in my team and if we keep working as hard as we have, we will get there. But all in all, I couldn't ask for a better season and I couldn’t be more proud of my team.”
NCA 9, Amite 2
Kelli Hollingsworth was 3-for-4 and scored two runs. Kaleigh Cosgrove was also 3-for-4 while Lexi Bounds scored two runs. Marla Graham, Jordan Russell and Abbie McGee each added RBIs and scored runs.
Taylor Evans picked up the win, pitching all seven innings, giving up two runs on five hits while striking out eight and walking three.
Brookhaven 10, NCA 0
Taylor Evans pitched 4 1/3 innings and gave up six runs, two earned, on eight hits while striking out four. Lilly Hollingsworth pitched the final 2/3 innings and gave up four runs on two hits and a walk.
Marshall 6, NCA 3
Kelli Hollingsworth had a hit and scored a run. Riley Usry, Kaleigh Cosgrove and Lexi Bounds each had hits while Jordan Russell had a hit and scored two runs. Taylor Evans scored NCA’s other run.
Evans pitched all six innings and gave up six runs with only two being earned while striking out five and walking three.
NCA 3, Manchester 1
The Lady Generals scored all of their runs in the first inning to grab a win in the state tournament’s loser’s bracket on Saturday.
Jordan Russell drove in two runs. Kelli Hollingsworth and Riley Usry each had a hit and scored a rune while Lexi Bounds had a hit and Kaleigh Cosgrove also scored. Abbie McGee also added a hit.
Taylor Evans picked up the win as she dominated the Lady Mavericks. Evans went seven innings, giving up six hits and one run while striking out nine and walking two.
Clinton Christian 13, NCA 1
Jordan Russell and Taylor Evans had NCA’s only hits while Abbie McGee scored their only run.
Evans got the start and pitched one inning, giving up four runs on three hits while Lily Hollingsworth pitched 2 1/3 innings, giving up nine runs on 10 hits while Kelli Hollingsworth finished out the game, pitching the last 2/3 of an inning without a run.
Newton County
The Newton County Lady Cougars secured another division championship this past week as they blasted a trio of opponents.
The Lady Cougars, now 21-2 on the season, end the regular season on Thursday with a road trip to defending 5A champion Neshoba Central.
County 19, SE Lauderdale 0
Brittany Thomas was 3-for-3 with a home run, two doubles, three runs scored and three RBIs. Jada McDougle was also 3-for-3 with a triple, three runs scored and three RBIs. Karlye Tolbird was also 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Lorren Ivey, Landree Amis and Lanie Phillips each had two hits, scored two runs and drove in two runs. Katelyn Gipson had a homer and drove in four runs while Jessi Thaggard scored twice and drove in two.
Gipson allowed just four hits and struck out two.
County 14, SE Lauderdale 3
The Lady Cougars turned around and put another run-rule victory on Southeast on Tuesday.
County only led 2-0 after two innings but scored six in the third and four in the fourth with two more in the fifth.
County had 16 hits in the contest as three batters had three hits. Jada McDougle was 3-for-4 with two triples and a double while driving in three runs. Shelby Anderson was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a double while Lizzy Hollingsworth was also 3-for-4. Brittany Thomas was 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBIs while Katelyn Gipson was 2-for-4 with a home run, three runs scored and two RBIs. Lorren Ivey was 2-for-4 with two RBIs while Landree Amis drove in two runs.
County 21, Forest 2
Every batter had at least one hit as eight had at least two hits. Jada McDougle was 3-for-4 with a grand slam, two runs scored and four RBIs. Lorren Ivey was 3-for-3 with three runs scored and a home run. Katelyn Gipson had two doubles while Lizzy Hollingsworth, Landree Amis, Karlye Tolbird, Lanie Phillips and Haley McDowell each had two hits.
Lake
The Lake Lady Hornets split a pair of division games last week and dropped a pair a doubleheader to 5A power Neshoba Central on Tuesday.
Lake is now 15-8 on the season and will travel to Stringer on Thursday and host Clarkdale on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
Lake 16, Newton 4
Olivia Clay was 2-for-2 in the contest and scored two runs while Alan Edmonds was 2-for-3 and had two RBIs. Reagan Clark was 2-for-2 and drove in two runs while Kate Gladney was 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Tashylah Wilson, Jordan McLemore and Kaytie Hillman each scored two runs apiece while Laurel Breland scored two runs and drove in four runs.
Neshoba 13-13, Lake 0-2
Olivia Clay, Jordan McLemore and Reagan Clark each had hits for Lake in game 1. Clay went 2-for-3 with one RBI in game 2. Laurel Breland and Kaytie Hillman each had a hit and scored while Reagan Clark and Alana Edmonds each had hits.
Kaytie Hillman was 2-for-2 in the contest with a double, home run and drove in two runs while Laurel Breland, Olivia Clay, Hanna Wilkerson and Taylor Duncan each had hits.
