Will McReynolds slammed a three-run home run to cap a 10-run second inning that carried the Starkville Academy baseball team to a five-inning 13-1 win over Lamar in the first game of their MAIS Class 5A playoff series on Tuesday in Meridian.
McReynolds also hit an RBI double during the inning, while Hayes Davis hit a two-run home run. Other key hits during the rally included Colby Allen’s two-run single, and a run-scoring single by Evan Siary.
Ayden Alsobrooks and Allen hit back-to-back home runs during the third inning for Starkville Academy (27-5). Allen, Siary, Alsobrooks and Randall Futral each scored twice, while McReynolds drove in four runs and Alsobrooks plated three.
Siary, McReynolds and Porter Skelton combined on a three-hitter. Eli Huebner’s first-inning home run off of Siary accounted for Lamar’s run.
The series shifts to Starkville on Thursday for a 4 p.m. game, with Game 3, if necessary, to follow.
East Rankin 2, Heritage 1: Cole Ketchum was the hard-luck loser for the Patriots, striking out 12 over seven innings and allowing two runs on seven hits in the MAIS Class 5A opener in Columbus.
Jack Ketchum had two of the Patriots’ three hits, and Braden Davidson was credited with the only RBI; Caleb Hall scored for Heritage (17-16). East Rankin is 25-6.
The series shifts to Pelahatchie on Thursday, with Game 2 at 4 p.m. If Heritage evens the series, Game 3 will follow.
Softball
Ridgeland 19, Columbus 8: In Ridgeland, the Titans scored 13 runs during the first inning to settle the issue early to clinch their MHSAA Class 5A playoff series.
It was 19-1 after three innings before the Falcons started to get some offense. Senior Myra King went 3 for 3 and scored three runs for Columbus, while sophomore Amber Hughes drove in two runs.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.