After a suspenseful 1-0 extra innings victory last Wednesday, Magnolia Heights left nothing in doubt in Friday’s 14-3 series-clinching triumph against Starkville Academy.
With the win, the Chiefs improved to 29-4 on the season and 6-0 in the MAIS Class AAAA Playoffs, after prior series wins against Lamar School and Bayou Academy.
MHS wasted no time getting out ahead of the Vols, as the Chiefs scored six in the top of the first. Despite Starkville Academy cutting the lead to 6-2 entering the second, Magnolia Heights plated four additional runs in the third for a comfortable 10-2 advantage.
A quiet fourth inning was quickly erased with another four-run frame for the Chiefs, as MHS took a 14-2 lead into the bottom of the fifth. Needing a handful of runs to keep the game going, the Vols could only muster a single run in the inning, sending the Chiefs home early with the five-inning run rule.
Magnolia Heights finished with nine hits on the day, led by three from Collin Reuter, which included a double and a home run, along with five RBIs. Ozzie Pratt and Drew Prosek both hit homers, while Jackson Jenkins also finished with a two-run double.
Reuter also had a big day on the mound, striking out five batters in a complete game performance.
Next up for the Chiefs is a date with Hartfield Academy (35-3) in the MAIS Class AAAA Championship series. Both teams have seen their fair share of each other in the postseason in recent years, including the 2019 state title series.
Game 1 between MHS and Hartfield Academy is set for Tuesday at Magnolia Heights, with Game 2 shifting to Hartfield on Thursday, May 13 at 4:30 p.m. If necessary, Game 3 will also be played on Thursday at 7 p.m.
