Photo: Hernando pitcher Olivia Skinner wheels a pitch during a three-inning no-hit performance against Horn Lake Wednesday afternoon. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)
Hernando coach Nicki Whitten says her Lady Tigers haven’t been playing their best softball yet this season, but Whitten hopes she’ll see more of the team’s potential in the next week in particular, knowing the stiff competition awaits them.
That’s because following Wednesday afternoon’s 17-0, three-inning victory at Horn Lake, Hernando hosts Oxford on Thursday, followed the next week by a road game to Lewisburg Tuesday, April 9 and a home game against DeSoto Central on Thursday, April 11. All three will be Region 1-7A challenges for a Hernando team that is still young, but still a year more experienced from last year’s “kiddie corps.” The roster’s only senior, Ally Agner, was lost for the season with an ACL injury before the year even started.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what we do in the next few days for sure,” Whitten said.
In Wednesday’s win, eighth-grader Olivia Skinner pitched a no-hitter, striking out six. The offensive leader Wednesday, freshman Jayla Sites, had three hits and drove in three RBIs while scoring two runs.
Whitten is looking for leaders from her team, and leadership may come as a group.
“I feel like we need Kate Johnson to have a good year on the mound and she’s been working really hard,” Whitten said. “We’ve been looking for people to step up and lead. I’m really asking all of them to step up.”
The coach added Katelyn Kirkpatrick’s to the outfield this spring has been a good move for the team.
DeSoto County scoreboard
Wednesday, April 3
Prep baseball
Clarksdale 22, Olive Branch 1 (5 innings)
Note: Clarksdale scored in every inning, including nine runs in the fifth. Olive Branch scored its only run in the second as Malachi Howze had a hit and drove in the Quistors’ run.
Prep softball
Hernando 17, Horn Lake 0 (3 innings)
Note: Olivia Skinner threw a three-inning no-hitter for the Lady Tigers, striking out six Lady Eagles. Jayla Sites scored twice, had three hits and picked up two RBIs. Sites had two doubles for Hernando in the win. Graycin Higginbotham and Katelyn Kirkpatrick hit triples and Adalynn Rochelle added a double.
Grenada 6, Lake Cormorant 2
Note: Lake Cormorant scored their only runs of the game in the second inning. Alyssa Boswood struck out 11 Grenada batters and walked four in the loss, but allowed six runs and six hits.
JUCO baseball
Northwest 23, Coahoma 4
Northwest 24, Coahoma 4
JUCO softball
Northwest 13, Coahoma 1 (5 innings)
Note: Kaylee Owens scored one run on two hits and three RBIs for Northwest. Chloe Summerfield homered. Neely Cooper allowed two hits and one run in four innings, walked one and struck out four.
Northwest 13, Coahoma 1 (5 innings)
Note: Sommer Tyes drove in six runs for Northwest with two hits, including a home run. Winning pitcher Morgen Brewton allowed one run and two hits, walked one and struck out five.
