ELLISVILLE – It was just like last year for the top-ranked Jones County Junior College Lady Bobcats.
The three-time defending MACJC champion and NJCAA Division II national runnerup Lady Bobcats slugged six home runs as they whipped Marion Military Institute (Alabama) 13-0 in five innings in the season opener here Monday on a beautiful afternoon at Community Bank Park.
Six of the home runs came in the opener, including three in the first inning.
Last season, the Lady Bobcats smashed 70 home runs en route to a 52-6 record, a third straight MACJC state title and a runnerup finish in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament.
Leadoff batter Kalyn Watts set the tone quickly for JCJC, 1-0.
The Oak Grove freshman lined a home run over the leftfield fence to lead off the game in the bottom of the first for JCJC.
New Hope sophomore Lauren Holifield and North Pontotoc freshman Brittany Seale also homered in the inning as JCJC took a 3-0 lead.
In the second inning, Harrison Central sophomore Karla Santiago was hit by a pitch and West Jones sophomore Savannah Lyon followed with a two-run homer. Watts then drew a walk and Holifield hit her second home run in as many innings to give the Lady Bobcats a 7-0 lead.
The Lady Bobcats scored six runs in the third inning.
Covington, Louisiana, sophomore Kimberly Nilsson was hit by a pitch to start the inning and Northwest Rankin freshman Tylesha Davis followed with a home run. After Lyon reached on a fielder's choice, Watts drew a walk. Lake Charles, Louisiana, sophomore Rebecca Monceaux then singled Lyon home to make it 10-0. Quitman sophomore Tori Dew's single scored Watts and Monceaux. After Holifield singled, Seale followed with an RBI single.
Mooreville sophomore Teri Richey, 1-0, was the starter and winner. She went three innings, allowed two hits, walked one and struck out four. Ocean Springs freshman Rachel Hayes went two innings, allowed one hit, walked one and struck out one.
Holifield homered twice, singled and drove in three runs, while Seale homered, singled and had two RBIs. Watts, Davis and Lyon each homered, while Dew and Monceaux added singles. Dew, Davis and Lyon each had two RBIs.
Kathryn Clark, Annelise Borg and Ashley Holt each singled for the Tigers.
Caitlyn Cooper started, went 1-plus inning and took the loss. She gave up five runs on four hits. Lauren Camacho went 1 1/3 innings, allowed six runs and two hits. Lindsey Savoie went the final 1 2/3 innings and gave up two runs and four hits as MMI fell to 3-2.
 
Monday's game
Ellisville
Community Bank Park
Game 1
Jones County 13, Marion Military 0
(5 innings)
Marion Military (3-2)         000 00 – 0 3 1
Jones County (1-0)           346 0 x – 13 10 1
Caitlyn Cooper, Lauren Camacho (2), Lindsey Savoie (3) and Annelise Borg. Teri Richey, Rachel Hayes (4) and Brittany Seale, Ashley Valentine. WP-Richey (1-0). LP-Cooper. MMI hitters: Kadie Clark 1B; Annelise Borg 1B; Ashley Holt 1B. JCJC hitters: Lauren Holifield 2 HR, 1B; Brittany Seale HR, 1B; Kalyn Watts HR; Tylesha Davis HR; Savannah Lyon HR; Tori Dew 1B; Rebecca Monceaux 1B. LOB: MMI-6; JCJC-4. T-1:30.