Lady Rebels split games in opener

The Leake Academy softball team got its season kicked off this past Saturday at East Central Community College.

The Lady Rebels split a pair of games, falling 13-4 to Newton County Academy in the opener and beating Benton 8-1 in the second contest.

Leake was scheduled to play at Newton on Monday and then play at Pillow on Thursday

Newton County 13, Leake 4

The Lady Rebels got off to a rough start to the season as they dropped a nine-run decision to the Lady Generals on Saturday at East Central.

NCA built an early lead with one in the first and third with three in the second and fourth to lead 8-0. Leake answered with two runs in the fourth and fifth to cut the lead to 8-4 before NCA finished with four in the sixth and one in the seventh.

Leake had just three hits and committed seven errors while issuing six walks and hitting three batters. Lily McDonald singled and scored a run while Zoe Shepard and Sydney Jones each singled for Leake.

McCall Warren started on the mound and pitched five innings, giving up six runs, with only one being earned, on seven hits and a walk. Alivia Gill pitched the last two innings and gave up seven runs on five hits and five walks.

Leake 8, Benton Academy 1

The Lady Rebels bounced back from a season-opening loss to beat the Lady Raiders in their second game of the day on Saturday.

Leake got the offense going, scoring in four of the six innings. The Lady Rebels scored two in the second, one in the third, two in the fifth and three in the sixth.

Leake had 11 hits in the contest, led by Lily McDonald who was 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Codi Breedlove was 2-for-3 with two runs scored while Brooklyn Wade was 2-for-3. Raylee Quick also doubled and drove in two runs while Marleigh Myers, Meredith Files and Sydney Jones each singled and scored.

Quick was solid in the circle for the Lady Rebels, pitching all seven innings and giving up one run on three hits and six walks while striking out nine.