C2D1: Neelyville hosts Twin Rivers

The Class 2, District 1 Softball Tournament comes to Neelyville on Thursday as the Lady Tigers host Twin Rivers in the first round at 4 p.m.

While the baseball teams from the respective high schools were battling this week in the OFCC Tournament at Three Rivers, their softball counterparts will also battle on Thursday but to extend their season and see who advances to take on the winner of Kelly and Jefferson.

The Lady Tigers come in as the No. 3 seed with a record of 14-9 and winners of six of their last nine games.

“I’m excited about our chances,” Neelyville head coach Dan Sexton said. “We are playing better right now. We have to stay focused and play tough.”

The Lady Royals are the No. 6 seed with a record of 7-9.

“We are going to come and focus on every play and minimize errors,” Twin Rivers head coach Casey Parson said. “If we keep the errors low and hit the ball, it’s anyone’s game.”

Neelyville won both matchups when the two faced off earlier this season as the Lady Tigers grabbed 14-5 win in Broseley before taking down Twin Rivers 13-5 at home just a week later.

The Lady Tigers also hold a 16-10 advanvtage since 2009 and are winners of six-straight games with the last Twin Rivers victory coming Sept. 17, 2020.

Reese Dobbins leads Neelyville this season with a .584 batting average and 46 hits. Dobbins also has 12 home runs and 50 RBIs to lead the Lady Tiger triple crown.

September Preslar leads Neelyville on the mounds with an ERA of 3.70 and 105 strikeouts in 126.2 innings.

Alexis Parson leads the Lady Royals in the circle as she’s struck out 108 batters in 72.2 innings.

Neelyville and Twin Rivers hit the field at 4 p.m. in Neelyville.