Although Senatobia had already wrapped up the Region 3-4A title, the Lady Warriors’ softball program had one last item of business to take care of before beginning their playoff journey.
Thankfully, all it took was three innings for SHS to conclude its region schedule, as the Lady Warriors blasted Clarksdale, 23-1 in Tuesday’s finale.
Clarksdale plated one run in the top of the first inning, but the brief 1-0 lead was quickly erased by a five-run frame in the bottom of the opening inning. Chloe Grant tied the game on an RBI-double and later scored on a wild pitch, giving SHS the 2-1 advantage, before the Lady Warriors picked up three more runs for a 5-1 lead.
After holding the Lady Wildcats scoreless in the top of the second, Senatobia rattled off 18 runs in the bottom half of the inning, highlighted by a pair of RBI-triples from Bree Coleman and Reagan Smith. Smith would then pitch the final frame, shutting down Clarksdale to seal the run-rule victory.
Senatobia outhit Clarksdale 11-1 in the contest, led by two hits apiece from Coleman, Grant, Smith and Kara Johnson. Carly Dunigan tossed the first two innings for the Lady Warriors, striking out six batters and allowing no walks.
With the victory, Senatobia improved to 15-7 on the season and finished a perfect 7-0 against region competition. The Lady Warriors will have a first-round bye in the Class 4A Playoffs, as SHS will take on the winner of Houston and Northeast Lauderdale, beginning on April 29.
In other action:
April 19 – Independence 22, Byhalia 1 (3 inn.)
A nine-run first inning helped Independence pull away early in a 22-1 road triumph at Byhalia in Tuesday’s regular season finale.
A series of miscues from Byhalia allowed Independence to pad the bases and the Lady Wildcats picked up their first run on a wild pitch, scoring Kamiyah Stephens from third base. With two outs, IHS plated eight more runs, starting with a pair of RBI-singles from Emilee Clark and Kaylen Daniel and a three-run triple from Stephens.
After tacking on two more runs in the top of the second, the Lady Wildcats took an 11-1 lead into the bottom of the third, where they doubled up with an 11-run frame to put the caps on the 22-1 blowout.
Independence outhit Byhalia 11-4, led by two hits each from Clark, Savely Helton, Brooklyn Pace and Lynna Wallace. Helton and Mabry Owens each finished with a double and Stephens added a triple.
In the circle, Allyson Glover struck out four batters and surrendered three walks.
With the win, Independence finished the regular season at 14-5 overall. The Lady Wildcats also finished as the Region 2-3A champion and will have a first round bye in the Class 3A Playoffs, facing off against the winner of Booneville and Amanda Elzy, beginning on April 29.
