DECATUR, Miss. — The East Central Community College softball team battled nationally ranked LSU Eunice on Thursday afternoon, splitting a doubleheader with the Bengals at the Softball Complex in Decatur.
After falling in the opening game, the Warriors responded with a strong effort in the second contest to defeat the No. 4-ranked Bengals 6-5.
LSU Eunice struck early in Game 1, scoring two runs in the first inning before adding another in the second to build an early lead. The Bengals continued to apply pressure throughout the game, plating runs in the fourth inning before a five-run fifth inning helped seal the result.
East Central managed its lone run in the second inning when Lynley Blackwell connected for a solo home run to left field.
Despite the setback, the Warriors received a solid effort from the pitching staff. Macy Nordstrom started in the circle and worked two innings before Lynleigh Burt, Ava Mosley, Manda Rie Leach, and Neely Wolverton combined in relief.
LSU Eunice finished with nine hits in the game, while East Central was limited to a single hit, Blackwell's home run.
The Warriors quickly bounced back in Game 2 with a gritty performance against the nationally ranked Bengals.
Both teams were held scoreless through the first three innings before East Central broke through in the fourth. The Warriors scored three runs in the inning to take the early lead.
Shortstop Madye Bath delivered a key hit in the frame, driving in two runs to help spark the rally.
East Central added three more runs in the fifth inning to extend the lead to 6-1. Blackwell and Barcley Martinez each drove in runs during the inning as the Warriors capitalized on timely hitting and aggressive baserunning.
LSU Eunice mounted a comeback attempt, scoring once in the fourth before adding three runs in the fifth inning and another run in the sixth to close the gap.
However, the Warriors held on down the stretch to secure the victory.
Bath led the offense for East Central, scoring twice and driving in two runs. Martinez and Blackwell each added key RBIs, while Brette Loftin and Riley Ruple reached base and helped create scoring opportunities.
Inside the circle, Lanayah Henry started the game and worked 3 2/3 innings while allowing just one run. Burt and Wolverton combined in relief before Nordstrom entered and closed out the final innings to earn the win.
The Warriors' pitching staff limited LSU Eunice's late offensive push, keeping the Bengals off the board in the final frame to preserve the victory.
The split against the fourth-ranked Bengals highlighted East Central's resilience, as the Warriors responded from the opening game loss with a determined performance in the nightcap to secure the win in front of the home crowd in Decatur.