Ponytail Action Heats up in Jackson County
By: Shelia Mader
Jackson County’s Dixie Youth Ponytail teams packed plenty of offense and strong pitching into a busy week on the diamond, with Marianna Makos, Marianna Aces, Cottondale and Graceville all seeing action in five games against both county and neighboring opponents. Big innings, aggressive base running and several standout pitching performances highlighted the week as Jackson County squads combined for four wins. Roster information provided by the teams.
Marianna Makos 13, Cottondale 1
The Marianna Makos exploded for eight runs in the third inning and rolled past Cottondale 13-1 on May 5 in a matchup of Jackson County teams.
Aamyia Speights powered the Makos offense, going 3-for-3 with a home run, a double and five RBIs. Chloe Adkins added a triple and drove in three runs, while Lakyn Clark and Leighton Deese each collected hits. The Makos finished with six hits, 10 RBIs and took advantage of six walks and aggressive base running.
Natalie Tyus started in the circle and tossed two scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out one. Leighton Deese worked one inning and allowed one run while striking out two. Speights closed it out with a strikeout in one inning of relief.
For Cottondale, Teagan Messer recorded the team’s lone hit, a double. Hailey Wade, Isabella Brown and Presley Harrell each stole bases. Charlie Gates pitched 3.1 innings, allowing six hits and 11 runs while striking out eight and walking six.
Marianna Aces 6, Chipley Tigers-Yellow 4
The Marianna Aces used a four-run first inning to hold off Chipley and secure a 6-4 victory on May 4.
The Aces finished with seven hits. Charity Langland scored twice and added a hit, while Olivia Carnes went 1-for-1 with an RBI and a walk. Kar’Lee Cain and Mackenzie Gentry each had hits, and Maddie Maddox drove in a run. Gracelynn Hall added a hit and scored once.
The Aces showed patience at the plate with two walks and created pressure on the bases with 11 stolen bases. Charity Langland and Mackenzie Gentry each stole three bases, while Olivia Carnes added three steals of her own.
Kar’Lee Cain pitched all four innings, allowing three hits and four runs while striking out four and walking nine.
Cottondale 6, Vernon 3
Cottondale earned a solid road win over Vernon on April 30 behind strong pitching and timely hitting.
Hailey Wade led the offense by going 2-for-2 with an RBI and a walk. Indi Martinez added two hits and scored twice, while Teagan Messer and Harlie Romine each drove in runs. Beyya Castro also added a hit as Cottondale finished with seven hits overall.
Cottondale swiped bases all game long, led by Indi Martinez with six steals. Beyya Castro stole four bases, Ashton Greene stole three and Harlie Romine added three more steals.
In the circle, Hailey Wade worked 2.1 innings, allowing three runs on no hits while striking out three. Charlie Gates threw 1.1 scoreless innings with three strikeouts to close the game. Together, the duo combined for six strikeouts and did not allow a hit.
Cottondale 19, Chipley 12U 8
Cottondale’s bats stayed hot April 28 as the Jackson County squad scored 19 runs in a high-scoring win over Chipley.
Teagan Messer had a huge game, going 3-for-4 with a triple, two RBIs and two runs scored. Hailey Wade added two hits and scored four runs, while Charlie Gates drove in a run and scored three times. Ashton Greene and Harlie Romine each contributed RBIs.
Cottondale drew 11 walks in the game, with Everleigh Gutierrez walking three times and Charlie Gates drawing two free passes. The team also struck for eight hits and used aggressive base running to keep pressure on Chipley throughout the contest.
Graceville 13, Cottondale 1
Graceville broke open a county matchup with an eight-run third inning and cruised past Cottondale 13-1 on May 5.
Aamyia Speights led the Graceville offense with a home run, double and five RBIs in a 3-for-3 performance. Chloe Adkins tripled and drove in three runs, while Lakyn Clark and Leighton Deese each added hits. Graceville finished with six hits and 10 RBIs.
The team also used its speed well, with Avery Kindelspire stealing two bases and Chloe Adkins, Lakyn Clark and Leighton Deese all swiping multiple bags.
Natalie Tyus pitched two scoreless innings to start the game, and Leighton Deese and Speights combined to finish things off in the circle. The trio combined to allow just one hit while striking out four.
For Cottondale, Teagan Messer doubled for the team’s only hit. Charlie Gates struck out eight in 3.1 innings of work in the circle despite taking the loss.
