Lady Tigers fall in MHSAA 1A playoffs

From submitted reports

The Ethel Lady Tiger softball team's season came to an end last Tuesday with a trip to the MHSAA Class 1A State Playoffs.

The Lady Tigers entered the week with four district road games in five days. It was a tough challenge, but one the Lady Tigers were up to.

Ethel 10-run ruled East Oktibbeha to begin the week, then won 5-2 over McAdams the following day, closely followed by a run-rule win over French Camp to set up a battle between Weir and Ethel — both unbeaten in league play — for the district title.

Ethel traveled to Weir on Saturday morning and came away with an 8-6 victory, led by Lauren Bouchillon's homer over the fence.

There were fireworks in the bottom of the seventh when Velvet Johnson caught a screamer in right-center with the bases loaded for the Lions and Weir down two runs. The Lady Tigers were able to double the runner off third base to win the game.

The following Monday the Lady Lions came to Ethel to finish a suspended game to decide the district champion. Once again the game came down to the last inning, but lady luck wasn't with the Lady Tigers as they fell 13-8 in extra innings. The Lady Tigers had their shot in the bottom of the seventh, but couldn't get the big hit.

The next day Ethel traveled to Bogue Chitto for the first round of the state playoffs. Defense was the name of the game as both defenses held tough for four innings.

A two-out base hit for Bogue Chitto in the fifth was the difference as the Lady Tigers fell 1-0 in the opener.

In the second game the Lady Tigers fell behind 5-0 late in the contest, but their heart was too big to quit as Shelby Varnes, Myronice Alston and Juliyah Erving had hits to start the sixth.

A sacrifice fly by Lindsey McNeal and a base hit by Anna Dotson followed by a walk to Morgan Adcock and the Lady Tiger faithful got on the edge of their seats. A sacrifice fly by Taylor Hannah left the score 5-3 after six innings of play. The Lady Tigers got a couple of runners on board in the seventh, but failed to score.

"I really feel like the season ended too quickly," said EHS head coach Chris Schuster. "The girls were like a sponge, soaking up more and more information and getting better every day.

"At first the girls were just coming to practice, but by the end of the year they were getting there early and wanting to learn more and more. I really feel like I just touched the tip of the iceberg as far as the talent and softball skills I can get out of those girls.

"We all had a bad taste in our mouth after the Weir game," Schuster said. "That's exactly what we need for next year."

The Lady Tigers are losing two seniors this year — Morgan Adcock, who played first, and catcher Leslie Odom.

"Both of these girls will be missed, but with nine starters coming back, the bar will be set high for the Lady Tigers next year," Schuster said.

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