The Bobcats of Jones County Junior College endured an early Northwest touchdown and scored 20 unanswered points to earn their second win to open the season, 20-7.

Trailing 7-0, the Bobcats got on the board courtesy of a Tyler Caldwell 23-yard field goal late in the first quarter.

From there, JCJC dominated, limiting Northwest to just 145 total yards.

Early James added a 22-yard touchdown run, while Jasper Ducksworth turned in an 8-yard scoring jaunt for the Bobcats.

On the day, Jones County totaled 335 yards offensively.

Caldwell added a second 23-yard field goal to give JCJC the 20-7 win.

Jones will venture out on the road next week, traveling to Decatur to tangle with East Central in a matchup of 2-0 teams.

— Brandon Walker



PREP SOFTBALL



Clarkdale 13

Moss Point 3



The Clarkdale Lady Bulldogs enjoyed a banner day Saturday, sweeping through pool play at a tournament hosted by Clinton High School.

Up first Saturday, the Lady Bulldogs dispatched 4A foe Moss Point in just five innings. Clarkdale scored seven runs in the first inning to put the game away early, pounding out 14 hits in a 13-3 win.

Starting pitcher Cory Roberson earned the win, while Amber Spann and Kayla Coleman each had three hits. Spann had two doubles and a single, while Coleman singled twice and doubled in the win.

Sarah Harris added two singles, while Jessie Clark and Abby Roberts each doubled.

With the win, Clarkdale improved to 12-3.

— Brandon Walker



Clarkdale 10

Northwest Rankin 8



Clarkdale survived its closest game of the day against 5A power Northwest Rankin, overcoming six errors to record a 10-8 win.

The Lady Bulldogs managed 12 hits and scored five runs in the fifth and four in the seventh to get the win.

Erin Adcock, Sarah Beckman, and Roberson each singled twice, while Brittany Pippin added a double.

Roberson earned her second win of the day on the mound.

— Brandon Walker



Clarkdale 20

Mendenhall 10



Clarkdale exploded for 10 runs in the first inning, setting the tone for a 28-hit performance on the way to a 20-10 win over Mendenhall.

Roberson continued her strong day with five hits, while Coleman and Pippin each followed with four. Clark lashed out three hits, including a double.

Olivia Whitlock, Alex Smith, Adcock, Beckman, and Roberts all had a pair of hits in the win.

Smith earned the win for the Lady Bulldogs.

After pushing their season mark to 14-3, Clarkdale will remain on the road Tuesday, traveling to district foe Mize.

— Brandon Walker



SE Lauderdale 12

Pearl 2



Southeast Lauderdale’s Lady Tigers also turned in a strong showing at Clinton, averaging 13 runs per game while on the way to a 3-0 tournament record.

In the opener, SEL scored 11 runs in the first two innings, exploding for five in the first and six in the second to earn the win. Starting pitcher Jessica Rose earned the win, moving to 10-2 on the season.

Rose also had a stellar day offensively, as she and Brittany Pounders led the Lady Tigers with three hits each. Paige Sheppard and J.J. Frazier each lashed a pair of hits in the win.

— Brandon Walker



SE Lauderdale 7

St. Andrews 1



The Lady Tiger offense kept rolling against St. Andrews, as junior Lanie Simcox and senior Martika Ivy each homered to lead the way.

Shelby Sheppard followed with a single and a double, as Rose pitched her way to her second win of the day.

— Brandon Walker



SE Lauderdale 20

Vicksburg 0



While the SEL offense had been strong all day, the Lady Tigers erupted in the final game of the afternoon, storrming out of the gate with 17 first inning runs to rush past Vicksburg.

Simcox and Ivy came through again, as Ivy blasted two homeruns, giving her a total of three for the day. Simcox doubled and launched her second round tripper in the win.

Second baseman Lucy Ruffin also had a air of hits, while Rose won her third game of the day on the mound.

Now at 13-2 on the season, Southeast will return home Monday, hosting a district tilt with Raleigh.

— Brandon Walker



Central Academy 9

Tupelo Christian 6



Central Academy erupted for five runs in the top of the fourth to power past Tupelo Christian Saturday afternoon. In the opening game of a doubleheader, Central pitcher Lillian Lindsay earned her fourth win of the season.

For the Lady Vikings, Kendall Taylor led the offensive attack with a double and a triple, while Veronica Rodriguez added a triple of her own.

Corey Dawkins, Adriana Rodriguez, and Blake Rigdon all singled for Central.

— Brandon Walker



Central Academy 6

Tupelo Christian 0



Central broke open a 2-2 tie with four runs in the third inning and Lindsay made the lead hold up in her second win of the day.

The winning pitcher added a single and a triple offensively as Central moved its season mark to 9-8.

Juliana Persons, Megan Banks, and Veronica Rodriguez all singled for Central.

The Lady Vikings will travel to Columbus next to take on conference rival Immanuel.

— Brandon Walker