Marengo Academy takes state title after late rally over

MONTGOMERY – A late rally helped Marengo Academy (27-15) overcome an error-filled afternoon to beat Patrician 3-2 and win its second consecutive AISA Class A state title Saturday.

The game’s defining sequence came in the bottom of the sixth when Raegan Pritchett and Adrienne Griffith each reached on errors. Riley Newton stroked a double to plate both runners and put Marengo up 3-2.

Marengo grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when a Morgan Broadhead singled in Mary Grace Sheffield, whose one-out double ignited the opportunity.

The advantage proved short-lived as Bailey Bonner singled ahead of a Kennedy Lewis fielder’s choice. An error allowed Bonner to score before a second error plated Lewis for a 2-1 Patrician lead.

Despite four Marengo errors in the game, Katey Glass proved largely unflappable. She allowed only four hits and two walks over seven innings of work for the complete game win.

Patrician 8, Marengo 0

Errors tormented Marengo in the first game of the tournament finals as the squad committed eight miscues in an 8-0 loss. Lewis worked a complete game shutout to keep Patrician alive and force the do-or-die finale. She fanned six batters and scattered three hits for the win.

The Lady Saints put Marengo behind the proverbial eight ball early by scoring four runs on only one hit in the first inning.

Lydia Lewis singled to open the game. Charlie Strudivant later walked and both runners scored on an error that allowed Savannah Abston to reach. After Bonner reached on an error, the third boot of the frame allowed both runners to score for the 4-0 Patrician lead.

Charley Grimes coaxed a walk in the top of the fifth and later scored on an error to push the advantage to 5-0.

Liza Grace McManus reached on a two-out error in the top of the sixth ahead of a Lewis single. Another error allowed McManus to score before Sturdivant doubled home Lewis and Grimes to set the final margin.

Marengo 14, Abbeville Christian 7

The day began with Marengo pounding the ball for 19 hits and a 14-7 win over Abbeville in the finals of the winners bracket. Sheffield singled in the first and scored on a Broadhead single for the 1-0 lead.

After Abbeville hung three on the board in the home half, Mary Kendall Glass singled to start a Longhorn rally. Griffith added a two-out hit to keep the threat alive. Newton then singled to center to score Glass. Sheffield then doubled in Griffith and Newton to tie the game. Trinity Wilkinson followed by singling in Sheffield to give Marengo the 5-4 lead.

Lexi Pritchett scored on an error in the third to stretch the advantage. Taylor Jordan dropped down a perfect squeeze bunt in the fourth to plate Wilkinson and make it 7-4. Abbeville scored a pair in the bottom of the fourth to narrow it to 7-6 but could draw no closer.

A four-run rally in the top of the sixth all but put the game away for Marengo. Newton reached on an error and scored on a Sheffield double. Sheffield scored on an error. Jordan and Glass singled and later scored on a Raegan Pritchett single for the 11-6 advantage.

Wilkinson singled in Newton and Sheffield in the seventh before Jordan drove in Katey Glass with a single to end the scoring.

Jordan got the win in the circle while Wilkinson fanned five over three and a third innings of relief to net the save.

Marengo 7, Patrician 4

The Longhorns beat the Saints 7-4 to wrap Friday play, getting two triples and three RBIs from Wilkinson to anchor the effort. Newton had a hit and scored a run. Sheffield scored. Broadhead scored and drove in two runs. Jordan had a hit. Mary Kendall Glass had two hits, including a double. Raegan Pritchett had a hit. Maci Nettles finished 2-for-3 with one RBI and a run scored. Griffith singled and scored a run. Lexi Pritchett scored twice.

Wilkinson worked all seven innings, allowing only two hits for the win.

Marengo 11, Sparta 1

The Longhorns opened the weekend with an 11-1 shelling of Sparta Friday. Jordan gave up five hits over five innings for the win. Griffith doubled twice while Raegan Pritchett and Wilkinson each doubled once.

Newton finished with two hits and two runs. Sheffield had one RBI. Wilkinson had two hits, two RBIs and a run scored. Broadhead had a single, one RBI and a run scored. Jordan singled. Mary Kendall Glass singled, scored and drove in a run. Raegan Pritchett scored two runs and knocked in two.

Nettles had a hit and a run. Griffith finished with two hits, one RBI and a run scored. Lexi Pritchett scored a run.

Marengo (27-15) placed four players on the All-Tournament team including the Most Valuable Player in Wilkinson, an eighth grader. Katey Glass, Jordan and Broadhead.