Softball | 4/24/2026 8:30:00 AM
CLINTON -- Kaelyn Thames delivered a clutch grand slam, and
Madison Nelson tossed a complete game backed by timely defense as the Clinton Lady Arrows defeated Lewisburg, 5-3, in Game 1 of their MHSAA Class 7A first-round playoff series Thursday, April 23, at Clinton High School.
Facing a 3-2 count with the bases-loaded, Thames turne don a high fastball and drove it deep to left field, sending it over the fence and igniting the Lady Arrows' dugout and home crowd.
The four-run blast gave Clinton a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning and proved to be the difference.
Lewisburg mounted its biggest threat in the seventh. With momentum beginning to swing,
Keelyn Constancio delivered a stellar defensive play in center field, racing back on a deep fly ball and crashing into the outfield fence to make a leaping grab for the second out of the inning, preventing multiple runs from scoring.
The Lady Patriots pushed across two runs in the frame, but Nelson stayed composed in the circle. A ground ball to thrid baseman
Presleigh Burrow ended the rally as she fired a strike across the diamond to
Anna Raines at first for the final out.
Nelson, a senior, went the distance, allowing three earned runs on seven hits while striking out two and walking four.
Clinton opened the scoring in the second inning when
Mia Thrailkill drew a bases-loaded walk.
The Lady Arrows totaled eight hits in the game, led by
Cailyn Willis with three.
Madison Rhodes added two hits in two at-bats.
UP NEXT
The Lady Arrows head to Lewisburg High School for Game 2 of the MHSAA Class 7A first-round playoff series, looking to clinch the series.