Newton Citizen

COVINGTON — The Lady Tigers were tired after playing three games in two days but it didn’t show as they shut out Jones County 5-0 on Thursday.

The Alcovy (6-0-1) bats were active as they combined for 10 hits.

“They’ve been swinging the bats,” Alcovy head coach Monica Marks said. “We’ve played a lot of games and they’ve seen a lot of pitches.”

After Jones County got the first two quick outs, Chelsea Murphy and Morgan Beshears were able to find the open spot in the outfield. The Lady Rams got hits by Morgan Mobley and Kalia Johnson, pushing the runners across the plate to take a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

A bunt by Lakeiyah Sorrells and a couple of bad throws by the Lady Greyhounds infielders allowed Marie Peck to score. Sorrells, who made it to third base on the errors, made it 4-0 on a Kylie Bass wild pitch.

“They don’t get down on themselves, they go up there with confidence; even with two outs,” Marks said. “That’s happened before in the season. They have confidence and know they can score at any time.”

The Lady Tigers made it 5-0 in the fourth inning when Peck scored on a delayed steal after Jones County threw the ball to second base as Waneshia Morris gave herself up for the run.

“Offensively we’re getting them some runs so it takes the pressure off them. That helps the defense and everyone when you score some runs,” Marks said.

Pacing the Lady Tigers at the plate with two hits each were Sorrells and Murphy. Six other players had one hit each.

Defensively, Johnson got the shutout while giving up only three hits. Jones County took advantage of the Lady Tigers’ mistakes but two double plays kept anything from developing.

Johnson got the win, striking out two batters, giving up the three hits and walking none.

“She’s a freshman,” Marks said of her pitcher. “Chelsea and Kalia have done a great job this whole year. Both of them have pitched great.

“We were a little sluggish but that was from being tired. I thought we played well but we gave them a couple of errors. But normally I think we make those plays.”