Softball | 4/30/2025 9:05:00 PM

MADISON — The Clinton Lady Arrows now know the path they have to take in their Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 7A Playoffs series after a Game 1 defeat.

However, it won't be an easy one against the MHSAA Region 2-7A Champion Madison Central Jaguars.

Madison Central used a three-run third inning and Ella Tierce's complete game in its 5-2 decision over Clinton in Game 1 on Wednesday night at Madison Central High School.

The Jaguars grabbed the lead with a base-clearing, two-out double, 5-2. The Jaguars' three-run hit capitalized on two singles, a walk, and fielder's choice.

The Lady Arrows kept themselves in contention while in the field, posting three scoreless frames. Annalise Whitworth regained her pitching command in the fourth, blanking the Jaguars. In the fifth, Keelyn Constancio and Cailyn Wilson snagged the final outs on spectacular diving efforts in the outfield. Then, the red and black stranded two Jaguars and allowed no runs in the sixth.

However, the Lady Arrows' were unable to rally with their bats. Clinton left the bases loaded in the fifth and stranded two runners in the sixth. In the final three outs, the red and black went down in order.

Clinton connected the game's first blow in the second with three hits and a pair of Madison Central errors for a 2-0 lead. Thames singled to right field and scored Makenzie Cooley, who led off the frame with a double and stolen base. Keelyn Constancio coaxed an error that scored Jaylen Gholar.

The Jaguars evened the score with a throwing error and sacrifice fly in the second's bottom half, each scoring a run.

THE STATS

Whitworth provided the Lady Arrows pitching from start to finish against the Jaguars in six innings of work. The senior surrendered four hits and five runs (three earned). She struck out two and walked three.

The Lady Arrows tallied seven hits and were led by Thames' 2-for-4 night at the plate. The catcher had the lone RBI.

Keelyn Constancio, Estrella Constancio, Hayden-Leigh Holifield, Cooley, and Willis each had a hit. Estrella Constancio's and Cooley's hits were doubles.

UP NEXT

The Lady Arrows and Jaguars return to Clinton on Friday. The second game of the series has a first-pitch time of 6 p.m.

Clinton won the two regular-season meetings between the MHSAA Region 2-7A rivals.

Fans can purchase their tickets ahead of the game on GoFan. Tickets are $10.

Game 2 will have a broadcast available to fans unable to attend the contest via HudlTV. Hudl TV can be accessed on an internet browser or the Hudl Fan App on any smart television (the best method for Hudl TV).