The Newton County Academy Lady Generals qualified for the Class AA State softball tournament again this past week.
The Lady Generals opened the tournament on Saturday with a 4-3 win over Centreville and then beat Glenbrook 5-1. After a 6-1 to Clinton Christian, the Lady Generals beat rival Sylva Bay on Monday to qualify for the state tournament.
NCA, now 15-10 on the year, was schedule to play Amite on Monday in more South AA action.
NCA 6, Sylva Bay 3
The Lady Generals advanced to the Class AA State Tournament after beating rival Sylva Bay on Monday in an elimination game.
After being tied 1-1, the Lady Generals scored five runs in the fourth inning to take a commanding 6-1 lead.
NCA had 11 hits on the day as Kaleigh Cosgrove led the way, going 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored. Jordan Russell was 2-for-3 in the game with an RBI. Belle Hollingsworth and Abbie McGee each had singles and drove in two runs. Kelli Hollingsworth singled, scored and drove in a run while Lily Hollingsworth and Marla Graham each singled and scored.
Taylor Evans picked up the win on the mound, giving up three runs on seven hits while striking out nine.
NCA 4, Centreville 3
The Lady Generals got a big game from Taylor Evans to take a one-run win over Centreville to open to the Class AA South State Tournament.
NCA scored one run in the first, third, fourth and fifth innings while Centreville had one in the third and two in the fifth.
NCA had just five hits as Kaleigh Cosgrove was 2-for-4 and scored a run. Taylor Evans had a solo home run while Kelli Hollingsworth doubled and scored a run. Jordan Russell singled and drove in a run while Belle Hollingsworth had an RBI. Cayden Alexander also scored a run for NCA.
Evans pitched all seven innings and gave up three unearned runs on six hits and struck out eight.
NCA 5, Glenbrook 1
The Lady Generals used a three-run third inning to take a second-round win over Glenbrook on Saturday.
NCA scored one in the second and three in the third and led 4-1 after three. They added a run in the fourth for the final margin.
NCA had eight hits as Jordan Russell was 2-for-4 with an RBI and one run scored. Abbie McGee had a single, one run scored, one walk and one RBI. Amber Garrison had a double and drove in a run while Taylor Evans had a single and drove in a run. Kaleigh Cosgrove and Kelli Hollingsworth each singled and scored a run.
Evans pitched all seven innings and gave up one run in five hits while striking out five.
Clinton Christian 6, NCA 1
In a winner’s bracket game, Clinton Christian took a five-run win to send NCA to the loser’s bracket.
Clinton scored one in the second, three in the third and two in the fifth. NCA scored its only run in the fifth.
NCA had seven hits as Abbie McGee, Jordan Russell were each 2-for-3. Kelli Hollingsworth was 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI. Marla Graham had NCA’s other hit while Lily Hollingsworth walked and scored.
Evan pitched all seven inning and gave up six runs on 13 hits with two strikeouts.
NCA 11, Prentiss 0
Taylor Evans allowed just one hit in a shutout effort over Prentiss Christian on Monday.
The Lady Generals scored in every inning as they took a five-inning, run-rule victory.
NCA scored one in the first and fourth while adding three in the second, two in the third and five in the fourth.
NCA had 12 hits in the contest as Abbie McGee was 2-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and one RBI. Marla Graham was 2-for-3 with two runs scored while Lily Hollingsworth was 2-for-2 with two runs scored. Kelli Hollingsworth had a double and drove in two runs. Kaleigh Cosgrove had a triple and scored a run while Gracie Humphreys also scored three runs.
Evans allowed just one run in five innings and struck out six batters.
NCA 3, Wayne 1
The Lady Generals needed extra innings to take a two-run win over the Lady Jaguars on Tuesday in the regular-season finale.
Wayne scored in the first inning but Taylor Evans kept the Lady Jaguars at bay for the remainder of the contest giving up one unearned run on five hits while striking out 10.
Abbie McGee was 2-for-4 with a double while Amber Garrison had a double and scored a run. Kelli Hollingsworth singled, scored a run and had an RBI. Taylor Evans also walked twice.
Evans pitched all seven inning and gave up one unearned run on five hits while striking out 10.
