East Central Community College’s Madalyn McMahon scores a run Wednesday as East Mississippi Community College’s Rachel Rooney lines up for the ball.

SCOOBA —Two days after Neshoba Central High School products Kayla Beckham and Madalyn McMahon launched their first-career college home runs for East Central Community College, it was apparent Wednesday afternoon that time had yet to cool the duo’s offensive assault.

The two’s bats played large roles in spoiling East Mississippi’s softball home opener as the No. 12-ranked Lady Warriors (6-0) swept the Lady Lions (0-6) in early season softball action. East Central earned a 14-8 victory in Game 1 and completed the sweep with a 10-2 win in a run-rule shortened Game 2.

“They’re two freshmen, but they’re seasoned freshmen,” East Central head coach Kristin Chaney said of the former Lady Rockets. “They came from a great program at Neshoba Central. They’re freshmen, but they’re what I call seasoned freshmen who are producing for us. We had a total team effort and made the plays we were supposed to make. We hit the ball very well today. We had a bunch of gap shots, and that’s what we want to do — put the ball in play and put pressure on people and steal bases. I think all around, we did everything we want to do.”

Beckham ripped a triple to center field in the top of the first inning of Game 1 and ended the contest 3-for-4 at the plate to go along with three runs, two RBIs and a walk. She followed her opening-game performance by going 3-for-3 with two runs and an RBI. Two of her three Game 2 hits were doubles. 

“It’s different going from Coach (Trae) Embry to Coach Chaney, but without those two I would not be who I am as a player,” Beckham said. “We know we have a lot to live up to. We were 12th in the nation, but we have 16 or 17 freshmen — we didn’t earn that spot. We’re out here proving to ourselves that we deserve that spot. So that’s what we’re going to keep working for.”

McMahon went 1-for-5 with a run, RBI and a stolen base in Game 1. She added another hit in four at-bats in Game 2 to go along with another run. Six games into her freshman season, McMahon said, with the help of teammates, she’s quickly acclimating herself to the change of pace.

“The transition is different, but coming together with these group of girls is just amazing because I never thought I would have such a close connection with everyone on this team,” she said. “In Game 1, I wasn’t really proud of myself because I let my team down with my hitting, but in my second game, I did better. After the first game, I screwed my head on straight and told myself, ‘OK, it’s time to get your game on right now.’”

McMahon and Beckham weren’t the only local players to turn in impressive performances. 

Union High School standout Averi Pender sparkled in Game 1, going 4-for-4 at the plate with four RBIs and two runs. Pender, who led the Lady Lions with four home runs last year, also added her first round-tripper of the season in the bottom of the first inning of Game 1. She went 1-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base in the second contest. 

“I felt really good today hitting-wise, but we have a lot to work on on defense,” Pender, a sophomore, said. “We hit really well as a team. But it’s still early in the season, so I feel like we’ll be good when conference (play) comes around.”

West Lauderdale High School product Mallory Vance, a sophomore, went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI in Game 1, and 1-for-1 in Game 2 for East Mississippi. 

Kaitlyn Oswalt picked up the Game 1 win after striking out six batters on 96 pitches. Mackenzie Rousseau went the distance in Game 2 to pick up the win. Rousseau fanned five batters and allowed just five hits on 76 pitches.