ELLISVILLE – The 2^nd-ranked Jones County Junior College Lady Bobcats will be hosting the Region 23 Softball Tournament.
JCJC defeated Pearl River 3-1 in an elimination game Saturday afternoon here in the MACJC Tournament at Community Bank Park. That means the Lady Bobcats will be the highest seeded remaining team in the event, regardless of how it finishes.
JCJC faces the loser of the East Central/Mississippi Gulf Coast winner's bracket game at 5 this afternoon.
Freshman pitcher Rachel Hayes allowed one run and two hits in the first inning and nothing after that.
Offensively, Lauren Holifield blasted a two-run home run and Tori Dew had a solo shot to account for all of the JCJC offense.
JCJC is now 40-3 overall, while Pearl River ends the year at 24-24.
The Lady Bobcats, the visiting team vs. PRCC, took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
Dew drew a two-out walk and Holifield followed with a two-run home run to leftfield. It was Holifield's 27^th roundtripper of the year, which leads NJCAA Division II.
In the bottom of the first, Breanna Herndon led off with a single and Branda Northrop reached on a fielder's choice. Hannah Holloway followed with a two-run double to make it 2-1.
Dew then led off the fourth inning with her 15th home run of the season, a drive over the left-center field wall.
PRCC threatened in the bottom of the seventh.
Danielle Barton drew a walk and Shay Rosser reached on an error to put two runners on with no outs. Hayes then struck out Mary Grace Key.
Pinch-hitter Briana Leonard then ripped what appeared to be a base hit to center, but Kalyn Watts fielded the ball and threw to Holifield at shortstop for the force out. With runners at first and third with two outs, Herndon grounded out to Dew at first to end the game.
Hayes, 13-1, went seven innings, allowed one run, three hits, walked three and struck out four.
Holifield homered and singled for JCJC, while Dew homered. Jay Harris, Rebecca Monceaux, Rachel Hayes and Savannah Lyon added singles.
Rachel Hickman went the distance and took the loss for PRCC. She allowed three runs, seven hits, walked two and struck out three. Holloway doubled and Herndon singled for the Lady Wildcats.
 

MACJC Tournament

Ellisville
At Community Bank Park
Friday's results
Game 1, East Central 3, Pearl River 0
Game 2, Miss. Gulf Coast 3, Jones County 2
Saturday's results
Game 3, Jones County 3, Pearl River 1
Game 4, East Central vs. Mississippi Gulf Coast, 3 p.m.
Game 5, Winner Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, 5 p.m.
Sunday's game
Game 6, Championship, 1 p.m.
Game 7, If necessary, 3 p.m.
- Top three teams advance to the Region 23 Tournament May 7-9 at JCJC.
 
MACJC Tournament
Ellisville
At Community Bank Park
Saturday's Game 3
Jones County 3, Pearl River 1
Jones County (40-3)            200 100 0 – 3 7 1
Pearl River (24-24)                        100 000 0 – 1 2 0
Rachel Hayes and Brittany Seale. Rachel Hickman and Brooke Roberts. WP-Hayes (13-1). LP-Hickman. JCJC hitters: Lauren Holifield HR, 1B; Tori Dew HR; Jay Harris 1B; Rebecca Monceaux 1B; Rachel Hayes 1B; Savannah Lyon 1B. PRCC hitters: Hannah Holloway 2B; Breanna Herndon 1B. LOB: JCJC-4; PRCC-6. T-1:38.