Lion senior helping Senath-Hornersville in a variety of ways

When the Senath-Hornersville/Southland softball squad takes the field for each game, it isn’t a matter of whether or not Lion senior JADA Burlison will be in the lineup (she will be), but where Burlison will be playing defensively and where she’ll be hitting in the lineup.

“Jada is kind of my utility player,” Senath-Hornersville/Southland coach Melani Rooney said recently.

The Lions (4-2-1) have gotten off to a strong start this spring and have won three of their last four games in dominating fashion, and the play of Burlison has been vital to that success.

“She always brings it for the team,” Rooney said of Burlison.

Defensively, Burlison, who was recruited by colleges to play basketball this past winter, has lined up in center field, third base, shortstop, and first base, and also pitched for the Lions.

“Jada is very athletic,” Rooney said. “She is good wherever she plays.”

On the mound recently, Burlison threw three innings in a rout of Cooter. She allowed just three hits in as many innings, no earned runs, walked just one Wildcat batter, and struck out a hitter.

In another Lion victory, this time over South Pemiscot, Burlison gave up just one walk and struck out two Bulldogs over three innings.

“We were pitching (Burlison),” Rooney said following the South Pemiscot game, “to throw a little bit of difference in speeds.”

Offensively, Burlison has made a positive impact, as well for the Lions, who are averaging nearly 11 runs per game.

Burlison has hit in the lead-off spot, as well as second, third, clean-up, and sixth, depending on the opponent.

She has totaled nine hits this season to go with a dozen runs scored, drove in three runs, stolen a base, and amazingly, has been hit by pitches seven times.

Senath-Hornersville/Southland won 15 games last spring, which tied for the most victories in (at least) 12 years. The Lions still have 11 regular-season games remaining, as well as will compete in the Swing Pink Tournament, as well as the Bootheel Conference Tournament, and then the postseason.

This week will be a challenging one for Senath-Hornersville/Southland. The Lions will visit Clarkton (0-5) today at 4:30 p.m. and Doniphan (8-0) on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.

The week concludes with a road game at Portageville (8-4) on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.