Lady Eagles set for playoff run

Bi-district playoff tonight to be broadcast by KWRW 97.7 FM

BY LELAND ACKER

Callie Collins is expected to be the starting picture for the Rusk Lady Eagles as they take on the Westwood Lady Panthers in the bi-district playoffs tonight. Collins has a .67 ERA on the season, leading Rusk to a 26-6 record. Tonight's game, played at 6:30 p.m. in Elkhart, will be broadcast on KWRW 97.7 FM. PHOTO: LYNN LITTLEJOHN

The Region III playoffs promise to be a wild ride this season as most of the state ranked softbal teams are in this bracket. Those teams include Rusk (#24), Huntington (#4) and Waco Robinson (#7).

The Rusk Lady Eagles begin their journey to the Region III finals at 6:30 p.m. tonight in Elkhart against the Westwood Lady Panthers. Rusk placed second in District 20 3A, a powerhouse district that included the likes of Huntington, who has not lost a district game in over two years, Carthage, a perennial powerhouse, Hudson, a 4A school in 3A clothing, Diboll, Central, Center and Crockett.

The Lady Eagles accrued a 26-6 season record, 11-3 in the ferocious District 20 3A. Pitching and defense is a strong suit for Rusk, with starting pitcher Callie Collins sporting a .67 ERA with 213 strike outs and allosing only 60 hits in 135 innings pitched. She is backed up by Cami Curtis, who has a 1.87 ERA in 53 innings pitched.

Collins and Curtis are flanked by Coach Ashley McElroy's "Lights Out" defense, consisting of infielders Mallory Westbrook (catcher), Rachel Mahaffey (third base), Sierra Smith (short stop), Alison Bowling (second base) and Hillary Hugghins (first base). Kristen Joyner, Calah Clark and Maranda Westbrook make up the outfield.

Hitting has also been a highlight of the 2008 Lady Eagle season, with Maranda Westbrook leading the team with a batting average of .436, followed by Smith who has an average of .410 with four home runs on the season. Other power hitters for Rusk include Clark who has three home runs and Mahaffey who has two.

The Westwood Lady Panthers placed third in District 19 3A, behind champion Fairfield and runner up Madisonville.

The winner of tonight's game between Rusk and Westwood will advance to play Waco Robinson in the area round of the playoffs. The game will be at 6:30 p.m. at Elkhart High School and will be broadcast on KWRW 97.7 FM with Leland Acker and Jereme Hubbard commenting. 

To get to the game, take U.S. Highway 287 south from Palestine to Elkhart. Turn right at the stop light onto SH 294. Elkhart schools will be located on the right. Take the first entrance to the campus. The softball field is located at the rear of the campus next to the football stadium.