The Magnolia Lady Panthers (14-4, 9-2) have claimed the 4A-8 Conference regular-season title and will be the No. 1-seed tean in the Class 4A South Region Softball Tournament. The postseason event will begin a week from today and the Lady Panthers will square off against the fourth-seed team from the 4A-7 Conference at 3 p.m. The tournament is set for next Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The Lady Panthers lost 9-8 to Hamburg on the final play of a game earlier this week, but bounced back a day later to blow out Camden Fairview 14-3. Against the Lady Cardinals, Magnolia piled up 15 hits as Brittany Yates, Caitlyn McCormack, CB Souter, Carlin Whaley, Kristin Smith and Bailey Ladner connected more than once at the plate. Souter had a home run in the sixth inning.
The Magnolia baseball team, winning five of its last six league games, will also host and play in the region tournament next week. The Panthers (16-9, 7-5) will more than likely be the third-seed from 4A-8 Conference and play the 4A-7 Conference’s second seed at 5:30 p.m. next Thursday. They could move up to the second-seed slot depending on the Camden Fairview/Hamburg outcome.
The South Region Baseball Tournament is also set for next Thursday, Friday and Saturday at Panther Field. The top four teams in regionals will advanced to the Class 4A State Tournament May 9-11 in Batesville.
To prepare for regional play, the Panthers have added another game to their schedule. They will host Hot Springs Lakeside at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.