[3/26/04]Madison Central’s strong pitching and explosive hitting allowed them to cruise past Vicksburg High 16-0 Thursday night at Bazinsky Field.

“They came out hitting the ball, which I knew they would,” VHS coach Laquitta Smith said. “And we didn’t put the ball into play a whole lot.”

The Lady Jaguars held a solid 8-0 lead after three innings, and they scored eight more runs in the fourth to end the game by way of the mercy rule.

At the start of the fourth inning, a series of singles and errors scored four runs, and the rally culminated with Brittany Wright’s grand slam.

In the fourth inning alone, Madison sent 13 batters to the plate, and all but one starter scored. They had four hits, and the VHS defense committed two errors.

Madison pitcher Lacy Jacks threw all four innings, striking out three and walking none.

The Missy Gators managed only four hits in the game, all singles.

“Once these kids start getting their confidence up about their hitting, they’re going to do better,” Smith said.

Claiborne Bryant and Lindsay Jones had singles in the second inning, Vivian Smith had a base hit in the third, and Shannon Arnold singled to lead off the fourth inning.

Vicksburg pitcher Whitney Smith went 3 1/3 innings before Kristi Shelby was brought in to finish the fourth. Smith recorded two strikeouts and walked three.