Published: April 02, 2008 05:32 pm            

NCHS Lady Cougars hold division title

NEWTON — The Newton County Lady Cougars had busy week on the softball diamond last week as they played five games, winning three.

The wins came over Carthage (13-3), Clarkdale (6-4), and Union (8-5), while the losses were to Southeast Lauderdale (2-1) and Northwest Rankin (10-6).

Newton County entered the week with a 13-6 overall record and a 3-1 mark in Division 5-3A.

The Lady Cougars also had a scare when Chelsea Pugh was hit in the head with a batted ball during practice last week.

“Chelsea goes to the doctor today,” Newton County coach Justin Chaney said Monday. “She should be cleared to play, hopefully. She has been throwing on the side. She should be ready by the end of the week.”

In Pugh’s absence, Emily Davis filled in both at second base and in the circle.

“Emily Davis is one who was given an opportunity and has made the most of it,” Chaney said. “I am very proud for her.”

This week, the Lady Cougars were scheduled to go to Choctaw Central on Monday and to Morton on Tuesday, then host Neshoba Central on Friday and West Lauderdale on Saturday. Morton comes to Decatur on April 7.



SE Lauderdale 2

Newton County 1

Southeast rode the pitching of Taylor Bailey to grab first place in Division 5-3A on March 25 at Vimville.

Bailey tossed a five-hitter and struck out 15 while issuing no walks.

Trailing 1-0, the Lady Tigers picked up a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and Bailey (12-0) fanned eight of the final 10 batters she faced as Southeast improved to 12-4 overall and 3-0 in 5-3A.

Bailey also singled for Southeast’s only hit.

Kasie Buckley (8-2) allowed only one hit, while walking two and striking out six. The Lady Cougars committed four errors as they fell to 10-5 and 2-1.

Summer Alexander had two singles for Newton County. Nikki Cumberland had a double with Buckley and Brittney Cochran both getting a single.



Newton County 13

Carthage 3

The Lady Cougars improved to 3-1 in Division 5-3A and 11-5 overall with Thursday’s win at Carthage.

Newton County scored four runs in the second inning, then added six more in the top of the seventh to pull away.

The Lady Cougars had a dozen hits with Summer Alexander getting three singles and a double to drive in four runs.

Brittney Cochran added three singles. Kasie Buckley had a pair of singles.

Emily Davis, Nikki Cumberland, and Wendy McCracken each had a single.

Buckley (9-2) tossed the first six innings to get the win. She struck out three and walked one. Buckley gave up four hits.

Davis tossed the final frame, allowing one hit to go with one strikeout.

Kim Barfield had a pair of singles for Carthage, 7-3.

Kelsey Sikes took the loss. She struck out seven but walked 10.



Newton County 6

Clarkdale 4

The Lady Cougars scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning to win Friday’s makeup game at Clarkdale.

Newton County, 12-5, had 11 hits with Lacey Gilmore getting two singles and a double to drive in a pair of runs. Emily Davis had a double and a triple.

Nikki Cumberland added a double with Kasie Buckley, Brittney Cochran, Wendy

McCracken, Samantha Cooley, and Shelby Bishop each getting a single.

Buckley (10-2) got the win as she tossed a seven hitter. In eight innings, she struck out six with no walks.

Sarah Beckman had a single and a triple for Clarkdale, 13-8. Cayla Coleman had a pair of singles.

Erin Adcock (7-6) took the loss. She truck out six and walked four.



Newton County 8

Union 5

Trailing 5-0 through four innings, the Lady Cougars scored four runs in both the fifth and sixth frames to take Saturday afternoon’s game at Decatur.

Kasie Buckley (11-2) got the win, striking out five and walking two in seven innings. She gave up 11 hits.

“For four innings against Union we looked dead in the water,” Newton County coach Justin Chaney said.” I am proud of us not quitting. That is a sign of a maturing team. We are getting better. I am just ready for us to play a complete game.”

Buckley also led Newton County, 13-5, at the plate as she had two singles and a double to drive in three runs. Brittney Cochran had a single, a double, and a triple to drive in a pair of runs.

The Lady Cougars also got a single and a triple from Catherine Brand, and a single each from Summer Alexander, Emily Davis, Nikki Cumberland, and Brooke Boulton.

Shelby Smith (7-2) took the loss in relief, allowing four hits and a pair of walks.

Yancey Tillman, Kayla Bates, Paige Holsen, Ashley Walker, and Bailee Viverette each had two hits for Union, 14-3.



Northwest Rankin 10

Newton County 6

Northwest struck for seven runs in the top of the fifth inning to turn a 6-2 deficit into a 9-6 lead in Saturday night’s matchup at Decatur.

Newton County, 13-6, had eight hits with Emily Davis getting two singles and a double. Summer Alexander had a home run and two RBI. Kasie Buckley had a triple. Brittney Cochran had a double and two RBI. Catherine Brand had a single.

Davis (0-1) took the loss. She gave up 11 hits and four walks along with three strikeouts in seven innings.

Kimber LaCour (13-1) got the win. She allowed eight hits and one walk while striking out six.

Northwest got a single and a triple from Jamie Huston, a triple from Kristina Patterson, and a double each from Londen Ladner, Logan Dukes, and Danielle Smith.

        

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