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By Fred Guarino

The Lowndes Signal

Claiming third seed in the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) Class AA State Softball Tournament set for Friday, May 5 at Lagoon Park in Montgomery, the Lady Rebels lost to Autauga Academy 13-0, but defeated Coosa Valley 13-9 at Lagoon Park on Thursday, April 27^th.

The April 27^th games were played for seeding in the state tournament. And, as a result, the Lady Rebels will face Clarke Prep on Friday, May 5.

Lowndes Academy head softball coach Matt Marshall said he pulled his starting pitcher, Emily Smith, in game one against Autauga Academy after three innings to save her for game two.

“We played well for four innings, but weren’t swinging the bat,” Marshall said. “So, I moved my catcher to pitcher and put in a junior high catcher in to save my starting catchers legs a little.”

The junior high catcher he put in was Tristan Holley.

He said Madison Boone pitched one inning and gave up eight runs. But he said, “She had never pitched in a game at all.”

Against Coosa Valley Academy in game two, Laiken Hussey scored two runs on four hits and had one RBI, Emi Gluschick scored four runs on four hits and had two RBIs, and Sasha Jaworowski scored two runs on three hits and had three RBIs.

Emily Smith pitched all seven innings for the Lady Rebels and accounted for one RBI.

“Today was about competing… staying competitive,” said Marshall of Thursday’s action. “We don’t have the players that play year-round like Macon East or Autauga, but our girls compete.”

He said his other pitcher, Hussey, has been shut down for four weeks due to a rotator cuff strain.

“It’s tough when we have used a game one and game two rotation all year, and then you’re down to one pitcher here at the end,” Marshall said. “Madison Boone did what I wanted her to do pitching. She gave us a chance to get out of the game.”

Marshall said the second game was a hitting duel with CVA.

But, he said, “I was really proud of Emi Ann (Glushick), Laiken (Hussey), and Katie Ray for their work in the box.”