SOFTBALL DIRTY DOZEN: Lexington takes back over No. 1 spot
Sometimes losses can be used as a learning moment and a chance to see where your team’s weaknesses are.
For Lexington, it appears the Lady Tigers have done just that from their loss to South Gibson.
The Lady Tigers played more consistently and on a higher level this past week going 7-0.
There have also been some teams to pick up wins in the early season like Madison and Scotts Hill from District 15-A and Dresden from District 13-A, and those teams are showing other teams need to keep an eye on them in the race for their respective district titles.
So here are the new softball Dirty Dozen rankings as the fourth week of the spring season is about to begin:
1Lexington (14-AA) (11-1) – The Lady Tigers picked up seven more wins this week. Lexington won the TSCA tournament in Martin over the weekend with 7-2 victory over Obion County in the championship game. Last week: No. 2.
2South Gibson (13-AA) (9-3) – The Lady Hornets took their first loss in District 13-AA play this week 5-4 against Dyersburg. South Gibson did pick up three other wins, including one over rival Milan. Last week: No. 1.
3USJ (D2-A) (4-2) – The Lady Bruins finally got their season going with six games this past week. Both losses came in the TSCA tournament in Martin as USJ took third place. The wins came over South Side, Milan, Westview and Scotts Hill. Last week: No. 3.
4Adamsville (15-A) (4-1-1) – The Lady Cardinals did not play this past week because of Spring Break, but they get back into action this week with McNairy Central, Jackson Christian and Chester County on the schedule. Last week: No. 5.
5Camden (11-AA) (5-3) – The Lady Lions suffered two losses in the only two games scheduled this past week – 5-4 against Riverside and 10-0 against Waverly. Busy week ahead for Camden with Huntingdon, Fairview, Milan and Stewart County on the schedule. Last week: No. 4.
6Milan (13-AA) (7-4) – The Lady Bulldogs took a few losses this past week with one coming in District 13-AA play against South Gibson and a few more coming in the TSCA tournament in Martin against quality competition. Last week: No. 6.
7Madison (15-A) (6-1) – The Lady Mustangs have shown this week they are a contender for the District 15-A title with wins over TCA, Riverside and Jackson Christian. Madison has allowed seven runs in seven games with two coming in the lone loss (2-0 to Milan). Last week: Not ranked.
8Chester County (14-AA) (5-2) – The Eaglettes picked up three wins in the past week, and they seem to be playing better than they did during the first 10 days of the season. Chester County will be tested this week in a couple games at home. Last week: No. 8.
9Riverside (15-A) (10-5) – The Lady Panthers took their first District 15-A loss of the season against Madison, and that equals their district loss total from last year. Riverside went 4-0 outside of that loss though. Last week: No. 7.
10Dresden (13-A) (6-4-1) – The Lady Lions had a big week that included wins over Huntingdon, Bruceton, Bartlett (Ill.) and Ballard County (Ky.). Both losses in the last week came against Class AAA teams in Clarksville. Last week: Not ranked.
11McKenzie (13-A) (5-4-1) – The Lady Rebels played a much tougher schedule the past week of the season, and came away with a 4-3 record. All four losses are against some of the best in West Tennessee – Lexington, South Gibson, Obion County and Dyer County. Last week: No. 12.
12Scotts Hill (15-A) (8-5) – The Lady Lions went 4-3 this past week with all three losses coming in the TSCA tournament in Martin against top-level competition. Scotts Hill has made a big improvement from last year to this year and should compete for the 15-A crown. Last week: Not ranked.
Dropped out: Huntingdon (6-4); Hardin County (3-8-1); McNairy Central (3-5).
Teams eligible for the Dirty Dozen rankings are those who represent schools from The Jackson Sun’s 13-county circulation area: Madison, Gibson, Henderson, Chester, Hardeman, Haywood, Crockett, Weakley, Carroll, Benton, Decatur, McNairy and Hardin.
Michael Odom, 425-9754