Lady Eagles prepare for post-season
BY LELAND ACKER

Rusk first l baseman Hillary Hugghins catches a pop-fly during Rusk's 20-3 win over the Crockett Lady Bulldogs. The Lady Eagles (24-5, 10-2) host Central Friday.

The Rusk Lady Eagles secured their tickets to the 2008 softball playoffs with sound victories over the Crockett Lady Bulldogs and Center Lady Riders last week.

Rusk got off to a quick start over Crockett, scoring seven runs in the first inning, as Sierra Smith batted in Maranda Westbrook, Calah Clark batted in Callie Collins, Kristen Joyner batted in Smith, and Hillary Hugghins batted in Clark and Joyner.

Mallory Westbrook then slapped a triple to the wall, batting in Hugghins. Mallory later scored on a pass ball.

The Lady Eagle express kept its momentum going in the second inning, with home runs by Smith and Rachel Mahaffey, extending the lead to 9-0.

Crockett's bats woke up in the third, as the Lady Bulldogs took advantage of a few Rusk miscues to put three runs on the board. The Lady Eagles regained momentum in the fourth inning, going ahead 20- 3 before the game was called on the mercy rule.

Cami Curtis was the winning pitcher for Rusk.

"We took care of business," said Rusk Head Coach Ashley McElroy. "We did the little things like keeping our bunts down. We took advantage of the pretty weather and played a great game."

Coach McElroy said the Lady Eagles are gaining momentum heading into the playoffs.

"I think we're picking up speed," she said. "No one's getting tired. We're not lax at all."

The win advanced Rusk to a 24-5 record, 10-2 in District 20 3A.

The Lady Eagles beat the Center Lady Riders 12-2 in five innings April 8. Callie Collins was the winning pitcher with three innings pitched, allowing no runs scored. Rusk will conclude the regular season at home against Central Friday before heading to the playoffs.