DeKALB — Cathryn Moore and Magen Tapley had run-scoring hits in the top of the seventh inning Tuesday, and Chloe Tapley made it stand up to lead the Hebron Christian fast-pitch softball team to a 2-1 victory against Kemper Academy.
The victory helped the Lady Eagles (18-9, 7-0 district) clinch the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class A, District 3 title for the second time in three years.
“I am really proud for the girls to see all of their hard work pay off,” Hebron Christian coach Cass Tapley said.
Hebron Christian had stranded eight runners, all in scoring position, through the first six innings before breaking through in the seventh. With two outs and Hillary Arnold on base thanks to an error, Moore tripled down the third-base line on a two-strike pitch to score Hill. Magen Tapley then singled to right to score Moore.
In the bottom half of the inning, Kemper Academy scored one run on two hits but two strikeouts and a groundout sealed the win and the conference title for the Lady Eagles.
Chloe Tapley allowed three hits and struck out 12 in the complete-game effort.
Alaina Hill, Chloe Tapley, Moore, Magen Tapley, and Beverly Blake had hits.
Hebron Christian plays Thursday at Calhoun Academy.
On Monday, Hebron Christian defeated Central Academy 11-1.
Magen Tapley had two hits and scored three runs, while Hill, Chloe Tapley, Moore (two runs), Blake, Tori Nichols (two RBIs), Jessica Fleming (two RBIs), and Brittany Ousley had hits.
Chloe Tapley struck out 13 and allowed only one hit and an unearned run.
n Starkville Academy 7, Oak Hill Academy 5: At Starkville, the Starkville Academy softball team scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to rally and beat Oak Hill Academy.
Oak Hill (13-9, 3-3 district) scored four runs in the fourth and a run in the fifth to take a 5-1 lead before squndering the lead in the sixth.
The leading hitters for Oak Hill were Paige Dawkins with three singles, Mary Helon Hays with a double and bunt single, Tori Ellis and Abby Falkner with two singles each, and Maegan Ellis and Kim Kelley with a single each.
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