Last Saturday might have marked the first two rounds of the MAIS Class AAAA North Half playoffs but for Magnolia Heights softball, it was business as usual.
Facing off against Starkville Academy in the opening round, the Lady Chiefs quickly scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning and followed with two more in the second to claim a 6-0 lead. A third run in the next frame made it a 7-0 advantage for MHS and three more runs in the bottom of the fifth would seal the deal, as Magnolia Heights claimed the 10-0 run-rule victory.
For as strong as the Lady Chiefs were at the plate, senior Elena Thompson’s performance in the circle might have been more impressive. Thompson allowed only two hits but struck out 12 batters in just five innings of work, good for a new career-high.
Gracie Mettetal led the Lady Chiefs with three hits and three RBIs, while Peyton McMinn also accounted for a pair of hits and two RBIs. Union University commit Morgan Jennings also earned two hits as MHS finished with a total of 13 hits.
Magnolia Heights’ second round opponent faced a similar fate, as division rival Washington fell victim to a 10-0 victory in six innings.
Much like the first contest, the Lady Chiefs also got on the scoreboard early in the first inning, adding three runs and an additional run in the second inning to go up 4-0.
Despite being held scoreless over the next two innings, the Lady Chiefs continued to keep Washington off the board behind the pitching efforts of Haylee Alberson, who finished the game with six strikeouts and just three hits allowed.
Magnolia Heights eventually broke the game open with a five-run fifth inning, extending its lead to 9-0. The Lady Chiefs then solidified the run-rule and early finish with a run in the sixth inning, claiming another 10-0 victory.
Jennings led the Lady Chiefs at the plate with four hits and two RBIs, followed by two hits from Jessica Smith. Lucy Lipscomb and Bailey Carpenter also added a pair of RBIs.
With the wins, Magnolia Heights improved to 18-5-2 on the season and will continue its postseason run against Leake Academy in the North Half semifinals.
