There were some highs and lows in the final week of the regular season for the Winston Academy Lady Patriots softball team, but they’re still heading into the postseason feeling seasoned and ready to roll.
WA had to close things out by playing the top two teams in district in its final three games sandwiching a weekend tournament in Magee with games against East Rankin and Leake Academy. The Lady Patriots lost the two district games but got a big win over Jackson Prep to give themselves some confidence heading into postseason play.
Against the other Lady Patriots of East Rankin on Tuesday night, Winston couldn’t find the offense. WA fell 3-1 but scattered those runs in the first, third and fifth. Along the way, there wasn’t much offense to be found on their side of things as Nat Eaves and Mayson Smith provided the only two hits in the game.
Anna Grace Whitehead threw 7.0 innings, gave up five hits and one earned run while walking three and striking out six batters.
At the Jackson Prep tournament in Magee on Saturday, WA fought back and got a big win against the powerhouse school with the 5-4 victory. WA also beat Canton 6-0 and they lost to Silliman Institute 4-0.
The end of the regular season came at Leake on Monday night as WA gave the Lady Rebels all they could handle on their home field. After a disappointing 16-4 loss earlier in the year, WA was in the ball game late with a chance to tie or take the lead with a big inning.
Whitehead hit a home run and Smith hit one off the wall that would have tied the game. Instead, it was 3-2 with no outs but the Lady Patriots couldn’t tie it in the seventh and they came up short.
“We had a heck of a game. We played a great game and they did, too,” coach Charlie Smith said. “They’re graduating several seniors and we have a bunch of folks back. We felt pretty good when we left (Monday).”
WA (22-6) will be the three seed in the North State tournament at Magnolia Heights on Saturday and will play either Mag Heights or Bayou Academy. The Lady Patriots have to win two games to get to the State Tournament the next week.
