Softball | 4/24/2025 10:17:00 AM

SOUTHAVEN -- The Clinton High School Softball team used two special performances in its opening-round playoff win over DeSoto Central High School on Wednesday.

Annalise Whitworth tossed a complete game, Madison Nelson had three RBIs on two hits, and the Lady Arrows held off the charging Lady Jaguars for a 4-3 victory in the first game of a best-of-three series in Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 7A Playoffs.

Whitworth opened the game for Clinton and kept the ball in her hands for all 21 outs. The pitcher allowed only two hits and three runs (one earned) over seven frames, striking out six and walking five.

Madison Nelson, who was 2-for-4 against DeSoto Central, provided a single, scoring two runs, in the second inning. Nelson added an RBI single in a two-run fourth, building a 4-0 lead.

The Lady Jaguars would not go away quietly, scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth. However, Whitworth recovered the next inning. The tying run reached first on an error, but the righty collected three straight outs, including the decisive strike out.

The Lady Arrows return to CHS for the second game of the series on Friday. The game is set for a 6 p.m. first pitch.