Marengo Academy softball advances to state title round

MONTGOMERY, Alabama – Marengo Academy battled from behind in the latter stages of the game to beat Abbeville 6-4 and advance to the AISA Class A state championship round.

The Longhorns, who remain unbeaten in the double-elimination draw, scratched out a run in the first inning as Mary Grace Sheffield reached on an error, advanced on Riley Newton’s bunt single and Trinity Wilkinson’s bloop hit. Taylor Jordan then dropped down a squeeze bunt on the right side to drive in Sheffield for the 1-0 lead.

The advantage proved short-lived as Allie Cain led off with an infield single for Abbeville and Savanna Wood blasted a two-run shot over the left field fence to make it 2-1.

Abbeville added to the advantage in the fourth when Kaleigh Carter singled to open the frame, moved to third on a two-out error and scored on a Emily Pair single.

The 3-1 lead lasted for all of one out in the Marengo fifth. Sheffield singled and proceeded to steal second and third. Newton singled to drive her in to cut the deficit to 3-2. Two batters later, Trinity Wilkinson singled to plate Newton to tie the game. Jordan then followed with a single to drive in Wilkinson for the 4-3 advantage.

Abbeville managed to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth despite not recording a base hit in the inning. Cain took a leadoff HBP and moved up on a passed ball before advancing to third on an error. A second error allowed her to score to tie the game.

Undaunted, the Longhorns stayed hot in the sixth. Sheffield drew a one-out walk and stole second before scoring on Macey Petrey second double of the game, moving the lead to 5-3. Hannah Freeman added to the lead in the sixth when she coaxed a one-out walk and later scored on Mary Jordan Drake’s single through the left side.

Mazzy Marlowe did yeomen’s work in the circle for the Longhorns, scattering four hits over five innings while allowing only two earned runs. She gave way to Jordan in the sixth. Jordan proceeded to retire six of the seven batters she faced for the save.

Marengo Academy (22-18) faces the winner of the losers’ bracket contest between Patrician and Abbeville at 2 p.m.