South Side softball on 14-game winning streak

Behind a large freshman class last season, the South Side softball team managed to battle its way out of District 14-AA to reach the region semifinals.

With four teams that have potential to play in the Class AA state tournament, getting out of the district tournament is no easy task.

After losses early to Lexington and Chester County, the Lady Hawks fell away from having a chance to grasp the top seed in the tournament, but they are now on a 14-game winning streak heading into Monday with momentum heading into the final two weeks of the season.

"We are focused, and we have started hitting the ball," Benson said. "We are doing a better job communicating on and off the field. We are doing a better job letting each other know what pitches the pitcher is throwing. On defense, we are talking it up more. That is something that we have been missing."

The turnaround seemed to be completed when South Side won the War in the Dawg Pound.

"That Milan tournament allowed us to see lots and lots of pitching, so that got us in a groove of seeing lots of pitches. It helped us get our timing down and getting the bat on the ball," Benson said.

The Lady Hawks have also battled through some injuries and illnesses in the early part of the season, but most of those players are back.

Pitcher Kayla Beaver is back after sitting out for a few weeks with an injury. Anna Taylor missed a week, including the War in the Dawg Pound, with a stomach virus. Chloe Matthews is out after having surgery on her arm.

Sydney Shelton has been a hitting leader for the Lady Hawks all season, and she has seen the turnaround in the team.

"We are coming more together as a team," Shelton said. "We are doing a better job hitting and keeping our defense clean.

"We have been practicing on hitting spots and knowing what a pitcher is throwing at us."

But this past week showed that the Lady Hawks are ready to battle this season for the district title as they knocked off the two teams that were undefeated in district play - Lexington and Chester County.

"It boosts everybody's confidence," Benson said. "You know that you can beat them. But those two are still quality teams, and anything can happen on any given night. This district is probably one of the toughest around, and it is a shame that only two get to advance out."

South Side still has McNairy Central to play twice in district play, so trying to climb back up in the district standings isn't complete. But the Lady Hawks know what it takes.

"Beating Lexington and Chester gives us motivation to not stop, and not give up," Shelton said. "We knew that we had to beat them to stay with them in the district."

Reach Michael Odom at michodom@jacksonsun.com or 731-425-9754. Follow him on Twitter @JSWriterMichael.