Marengo Academy finishes as runner-up in Glenwood tourney

Marengo Academy traveled to Phenix City last weekend to face some of the best softball teams in the AISA en route to a runner-up finish in the Glenwood Academy Invitational.

The lone Class A team in the event, the Longhorns dropped a pair of games during pool play Friday before rebounding with a strong Saturday.

Marengo fell 4-3 to Edgewood Friday in a contest that saw Trinity Wilkinson single in Macey Petrey for the 1-0 MA lead in the first inning. Defensive miscues plagued the Longhorns as Edgewood took a 2-1 lead and held it until the fifth inning when Petrey stroked a two-run homer to put her team back on top. The lead evaporated in the bottom of the seventh when more defensive miscues led to two more Edgewood runs and a 4-3 victory.

The Longhorns were flat against Glenwood in a pool play contest Friday, losing 11-0 with Mary Grace Sheffield singling in the fourth inning for the only MA hit of the contest.

Marengo bounced back with authority Saturday, drilling Edgewood 11-0 to open the day. Marengo scored six runs in the third to anchor the victory. Hanna Freeman, Carly Vickers, Sheffield and Riley Newton hit four straight singles before Petrey ripped a double to plate two runs. Wilkinson followed with a double of her own to score another. Brittan Davis then singled in a run before Morgan Broadhead doubled. Freeman later singled in another run. Marengo added four runs in the fourth with Sheffield doubling to lead off the rally. Newton then singled in Sheffield. Petrey followed with another double to score Newton. Wilkinson singled home Petrey for the 9-0 lead. Petrey doubled home Sheffield in the fifth to add another run. Wilkinson drove in the final run on a sacrifice fly to left.

Marengo followed with a 12-6 victory over Class AAA Glenwood, avenging the loss from less than 24 hours earlier. Marengo took an early 3-0 lead in the first as Wilkinson hit a a three-run shot to score Newton and Petrey. Marengo added six more runs in the second inning. Mary Jordan Drake drew a walk and Vickers reached on an error to start the rally. Sheffield and Petrey each singled in a run. Broadhead drove in one on a bases-loaded grounder. Jessie Flowers followed with a drive to right field to plate two more, moving the lead to 9-0.

Vickers later doubled and scored on an error. Wilkinson tacked on another with a single. Petrey doubled in Sheffield in the fifth for the final MA run of the game.

Marengo wrapped up its day with a 9-1 loss to reigning Class AA champion Macon-East. The lone Longhorn run came in the first inning. Newton opened with a double before Petrey singled. Wilkinson got the RBI single to plate Newton.

“They are gritty. They are determined. They came back on Saturday after two losses on Friday and proved to themselves they were capable of playing with and defeating anyone,” Marengo coach Chris Petrey said.

The Lady Longhorns (12-10) dropped a region contest to Patrician Wednesday following a reschedule due to inclement weather Tuesday.