Photo: Northpoint Christian School midfielder Eli Bailey signs his scholarship letter of intent to play soccer next season at Delta State University. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
Northpoint soccer midfielder Eli Bailey Thursday signed to play next season at Delta State University, as he and his Trojan soccer teammates continue their spring season. Bailey, who has been with the Trojans for four seasons, has been an integral part of the team’s success, according to coach Ethan McClure.
“He’s been a four-year starter for us,” McClure said. “He’s our senior captain this year and he leads by example. He’s been a great leader for us.”
This past fall, the Statesmen, coached by Austin Jackman, finished 8-8-3 overall and was 4-4-3 in the Gulf South Conference.
Bailey, who said he’s been playing soccer since age three, said he enjoys playing midfield where he can help on the attack offensively and come back to defend.
“I have really good vision on the field,” Bailey said. “I can help out on offense and the defensive side of the ball. I think I’ll bring some attacking pass options and some good energy.”
McClure thinks Delta State will be a good fit for Bailey to play soccer at. It’s also where Bailey said he’ll be studying business accounting.
“It’s a good Division Two program,” McClure said. “Eli will bring a lot of experience, both from the club world and high school soccer, and he’ll bring a lot of energy.”
Northpoint Christian School midfielder Eli Bailey (seated, center) is flanked by coaches and his parents, Jody and Angela Bailey. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
DeSoto County scoreboard
Thursday, March 28
Prep baseball
Hernando 18, DeSoto Central 0 (4 innings)
Note: Luke Romine homered and pitched the victory for the Tigers, which scored eight times in the second inning to break the game open. Tyler Sullivan tripled and Hallas Lawson doubled in the Hernando win. Romine struck out eight and walked three in four innings on the mound. DeSoto Central scratched one hit, a double by Connor Simpson. Starting pitcher Aiden Steht took the loss for the Jaguars.
Oxford 4, Lewisburg 2
Note: First region loss for the Patriots. Sam Richardson and Trae Cagle both tripled for Lewisburg, which scored both runs in the fifth inning. Talon Haley took the loss for the Patriots, despite nine strikeouts and four walks in five innings of work. Austin Hannigan had two hits and an RBI.
Northpoint Christian 23, Strayhorn 1 (5 innings)
Note: Alex Love threw a no-hitter for Northpoint, with no walks and 11 strikeouts. Jace Robinson doubled, Isaiah Nolan and Jayden Parker both tripled for the Trojans. Northpoint scored 12 times in the second inning. KL Farr scored four times, had three hits and drove in three runs. Nolan scored three runs on two hits and had three RBIs. Parker scored twice with three hits and four RBIs.
Center Hill 13, Olive Branch 0
Note: JaMaryon Warren drove in four runs in the win for Center Hill. Warren tripled among two hits and scored twice. Houston Green and Ryan Brunetz both doubled. Green was the winning pitcher with six strikeouts and just one hit allowed.
Prep softball
Lewisburg 2, Oxford 0
Note: Leah Walker hit a pair of doubles and Kara Walker also doubled as part of a seven-hit attack for the Lady Patriots. Ella Abrams struck out 14 and walked two in posting a three-hit, complete-game victory.
Hernando 18, Marion, Ark. 5 (6 innings)
Note: The Lady Tigers scored 10 runs in the second inning of the blowout victory. K Johnson was the winning pitcher, pitching three innings. Jayla Sites and Katelyn Kirkpatrick both homered for Hernando. Sites drove in five runs on two hits and scored twice. Callie Desmond scored twice, hit safely four times, including a pair of doubles, and picked up three RBIs.
Center Hill 14, Independence 4 (6 innings)
Note: Reagan Ryan had a pair of doubles and Lahna Mathews had a two-base hit for the Lady Mustangs. Trinity Moore and Ryan combined for the victory in the circle, with Moore fanning two and Ryan earning the other strikeout. Mathews drove in four runs on three hits, including a double. Moore scored four times on three hits. Center Hill scored twice in the sixth inning to force the 10-run rule finish.
Northpoint Christian 19, Harding Academy 0 (3 innings)
Note: Northpoint scored 10 times in the first and added nine more in the second inning. J Jones, M Dever-Boaz, and Trinity Garvin all tripled for the Lady Trojans. K Bobo scored two times with three hits and three RBIs.
Prep tennis
Lewisburg 4, Lafayette (Oxford) 3
Prep boys soccer
Northpoint Christian 4, Westminster Academy 2
Note: Miller Lashlee scored a three-goal hat trick, while Eli Bailey scored a goal and assisted on two others.
