Marion, AL – The East Central Community College Lady Warriors kicked off their season with a doubleheader split against No. 16-ranked Marion Military Institute, falling 4-2 in Game 1 before bouncing back with a dominant 5-0 shutout victory in Game 2.

Game 1: Marion Military 4, East Central 2

East Central started strong, scoring one run in the second and another in the fourth, but a two-run fourth inning by Marion Military and a two-run sixth proved to be the difference.

Despite recording seven hits, the Lady Warriors struggled to capitalize on opportunities, leaving 15 runners on base. Kayleigh Karel had a standout performance, going 3-for-3 with a double and a stolen base. Lynleigh Burt (L, 0-1) was solid in the circle, allowing only three hits and no earned runs in six innings, but East Central's four errors proved costly?.

Game 2: East Central 5, Marion Military 0

The Lady Warriors responded in Game 2 with a dominant shutout performance behind a stellar outing from Macy Nordstrom (W, 1-0), who allowed just one hit and struck out five in a complete-game effort.

East Central got on the board early with two runs in the first inning and added two more in the fifth before an insurance run in the seventh. Kayleigh Karel continued her strong day at the plate, driving in two runs on two hits, while Maleigh Lemings and Sarah Grace Jones each added RBIs. Sophia Romero was a menace on the basepaths, stealing three bases to help keep the offense moving?.

Coach's Take

"We showed a lot of grit today. We made some mistakes in the first game, but our response in Game 2 showed the kind of team we can be. Our pitching was outstanding, and we'll keep building on this performance," said East Central's head coach.

Looking Ahead

With the season now underway at 1-1, the Lady Warriors will look to carry their momentum into their next matchup as they continue non-conference play in the 2025 Juco Turf Wars at Bill Noble Park.