Softball roundup: WL hands LS first region loss of year
Published 3:00 pm Saturday, April 15, 2023
West Lincoln did something Thursday on a softball field that no other Region 7-2A team has done in the last two years, beat Loyd Star.
A 3-1 victory by West Lincoln (18-3) is the first division loss suffered by Loyd Star (20-2) since a setback to then region member Wesson back on April 8, 2021.
West Lincoln went ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first on Thursday in a game that got bumped back a week due to rain. The Bears outhit the Hornets 7-5 in the game and were led by a double from leadoff batter Mary Clarie Johnson.
A Southwest Mississippi C.C. softball signee, Johnson drove in one run as did freshman Caroline Hedgepeth.
Freshman Whitney Grace Whittington was strong in the circle for WL coach Anita Thornton.
Whittington struck out nine, walked one and gave up one earned run on five hits.
Loyd Star coach Scott Leggett got a similar outing from his eighth-grade pitcher Layla Burt. Burt struck out seven and walked none while giving up two earned runs via seven hits.
Despite the loss, Loyd Star has still clinched first place in Region 7-2A as they beat West Lincoln 11-1 on March 28.
Wesson
Wesson needed just three innings to get 20 runs on 20 hits Tuesday in a 20-1 win against Port Gibson.
Coach Michelle Nunnery’s team is now 11-7 and unbeaten in region play.
Emma Thaxton and Kenslie Carter had a double each for the Cobras in the win. Carter drove in two runs and Thaxton drove in three runs.
Wesson also got three RBIs each from Lilly Kate Channell and Marley Channell. Macy Loy drove in two runs while Mallory Sanders and Lexie Freeman had one RBI apiece.