H.S. SOFTBALL: Young Madison team gets big win

The Madison Academic Mustang softball team came into this season as a young team with limited veteran leadership.

A player who has stepped into the role as a leader on the team is ace pitcher Alexus Jimmerson.

Jimmerson used her dominant pitching to hold Riverside to one run on Thursday as Madison picked up the District 15-A win by the score of 3-1.

"Alexus came into this season needing to mature more in the circle while pitching," Madison head coach Baron Jimmerson said. "Alexus, who is only a junior this year, let the small things get to her in the past. This year she's taking a more mature approach in the circle and hitting her spots and doing what is asked of her."

Riverside scored their lone run in the top of the first inning. With a runner on second base, Bree Linton hit an RBI single making the score 1-0.

Alexus Jimmerson settled down, striking out the following five batters. She finished with nine strikeouts over the course of seven innings.

"Alexus came into the game very nervous as Riverside is a very good team," Baron Jimmerson said. "Riverside is usually first or second in the district every year. After the first inning, Alexus really settled into the game and hit her spots giving us a chance to win the game."

In the bottom of the sixth, Madison strung together hits by Taylor Perry, Chloe Johnson, Natalie Major and Harlie DiMarco to put three runs on the board in the inning.

Those three runs were enough for Madison as Jimmerson held Riverside scoreless in the seventh, earning the 3-1 victory.

"I am really proud of my girls for this win," Baron Jimmerson said. "We are a very young team, but we have pieces to be a very good team. This win right here puts us at 5-1, and we have another big game against JCS on Friday.

"We will continue to fight each game and get better in the process. I am proud of these kids for coming up big tonight and playing a very solid game."