They are once again state playoff bound!
For the second consecutive year, the Indianola Academy Lady Colonels softball team has scratched and clawed its’ way to the Division II State 2A Playoffs.
Headed to the Sports Complex in Magee on Monday, the Lady Colonels will open their play at 11 a.m. against Lamar Christian School of Purvis.
Showing a penchant for once again peaking at the right time, the Lady Colonels played big in big games last Saturday and Monday in the North 2A State Playoffs hosted by Canton Academy.
When all was said and done, the 13-21 IA squad earned a trio of one-run victories in their five games played to secure their berth in the upcoming state playoffs.
“I am so proud of the girls”, said IA Head Coach Watson Cook. “Coming from behind so much to win three games like that, it was just fun to be a part of.”
As for this Saturday’s play in the state playoffs, should the Lady Colonels opening 11 a.m. game bring a victory over the Lady Lions of Lamar Christian School, they will return to the field at 3 p.m.
That game’s opponent will be the winner of the Centreville Academy – Deer Creek School match-up.
This potential game with Deer Creek School would be, per Yogi Berra, “Deja vu all over again” as IA and the Lady Warriors from Arcola met twice in the North State Playoffs; with the Lady Colonels claiming a pair of one-run victories.
However, if the Lady Colonels lose their opening game with Lamar Christian School, they play the loser of the Centreville-Deer Creek game at 1 p.m.
Next Wednesday and Thursday will then begin a best-of-three series pitting the final two teams which emerge out of the winner and loser brackets.
If needed, a third game will be played next Saturday, also at the Magee Sports Complex.
In this past Monday’s huge day of softball, the Lady Colonels earned their place in this week’s state playoffs with their come-from-behind 4-3 victory over Newton County Academy of Decatur.
Finding themselves down by a 3-1 score to the Lady Generals, the Lady Colonels rallied back in the bottom of the sixth inning to take their one-run lead.
The huge rally began when senior Molly Helms delivered a one-out single.
Sophomore Carlyle Reed then singled to right field, moving Helms to third base.
Makensie Smith’s subsequent single to center field drove Helms across the plate while also moving Reed to third base
Following a steal of second base by Smith, eighth grader Aubri Rybolt came through in the clutch by sending a two-out single to right field. The blow drove both Smith and Reed across the plate with the tying and go-ahead runs.
With her new-found lead in hand, Smith completed her superb pitching performance by closing the door on the batters from Newton County in the top of the seventh inning.
Smith’s time spent in the pitcher’s circle was impressive. The sophomore needed only 92 pitches, 67 of which were strikes, and excellent defense from her teammates to turn in her complete game outing.
While scattering 10 Newton County hits, Smith struck out two batters while only walking two more.
At the plate, the Lady Colonels’ 10-hit attack was led by Reed’s double and single while junior Nyla Thomas and Helms slapped a pair of singles apiece.
Rounding out the hitting leaders was junior Kelly Arrington, who drilled a double off the Lady Generals’ pitcher.
The Lady Colonels then turned in their second consecutive one-run victory with a 6-5 decision over Deer Creek School.
Once again down in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Lady Colonels overcame their 5-4 deficit by beginning their rally by playing small ball.
It was Reed who started the uprising with her bunt single, and then promptly stole second base.
She would later score when Smith stroked a single to knot the game at five runs apiece.
With Ann Ledbetter running for Smith and having made her way to third base, senior Julia Davis would send her across the plate with the go-ahead run by way of a fielder’s choice ground ball to the shortstop.
Again, Smith closed the door on opposing batters in the seventh frame to preserve the victory.
Smith got the win in the circle in her relief role which included 2.1 innings pitched. The right-hander allowed four hits while fanning one batter and walking another.
Rybolt turned in a strong 4.2 innings pitched as the starter after yielding but three hits while striking out two batters and walking six.
Other games played in the North State Playoffs saw the IA squad earn a 16-15 victory over Deer Creek School while dropping two decisions (13-1, 17-0) to Canton Academy.
