The Ethel Lady Tiger softball team has improved its record to 16-2 overall with wins over Starkville, West Union and Sebastopol over the last week.
Erin Watkins has pitched in all 16 wins and the Tigers’ hitting has really improved throughout the course of the year. Jessica Mitchell, Sidney Rone, Avery Bouchillon and Brooklyn Pitt have been the big four driving in the runs for the Lady Tigers.
The Tigers are averaging over five more runs a game than they did last year. Carlye Pender and been the leadoff hitter with over a .500 on base percentage and Watkins and Halea Wood have shown their senior leadership at the plate by getting key hits to start big innings and winning games.
Breanna Blaine, Madison Odom and Clarissa Smith all have had big hits to keep rallies going as well. “Our defense has been good at times but needs to get more consistent,” said Lady Tiger head coach Chris Schuster. “Our hitting has won games for us this year, but if we want to make another playoff run, our defense needs to get better.”
The Lady Tigers will start district play next week when they travel to French Camp on Monday at 5 p.m. “We have had a lot of success this year, but next week is when the season begins,” added Schuster. “We need to be playing our best to win the district and host a first-round playoff game.”
French Camp will make the return trip to Ethel on Thursday for another 5 p.m. contest.
