What could have been a surprising season came to an abrupt halt for the J.Z. George girls fast-pitch softball team when it was announced all athletic events would be halted because of the coronavirus outbreak almost two weeks ago.
The Lady Jaguars got to play one game, a 21-1 victory over Holmes County Central on Feb. 28 at Holmes Community College.
Since then, J.Z. George has had five games officially canceled because of the outbreak and another 12 will not be played by April 17, the day set by Governor Tate Reeves, that all public schools are to remain closed. They had another four games called off because of the weather.
Against Holmes County, senior Laney Clunan got the win in the circle, allowing one run, which was scored on an error, fanning four, hitting one batter and walking one.
J.Z. George finished with 10 hits against Holmes. Junior Olivia Carpenter had a single, two doubles, two RBI and scored four runs.
Sophomore Jayden McLendon and Clunan had two hits each. McLendon had two singles and scored a pair of runs, and Clunan had two singles and scored three times.
Senior Makayla Vest had a single, RBI and scored three times, and senior Jasmine Newman had a single, two RBI and scored one run. Senior Tyeshia Grant had a single, RBI and scored three times. Senior Tashanda Fleming drove in two runs and scored twice.
Freshmen Christyanna Seals and Paigelan Shack scored two runs each.
The Lady Jags are coached by Jamie Tucker, who was in her fourth season at the helm.
The Jaguars baseball team also played just one game this season, a 12-0 loss to Charleston High School on March 7 in North Carrollton.
Charleston held J.Z. George hitless as the Jaguars' defense made numerous errors in the field.
J.Z. George's Michael Bankston was a bright spot for the Jags on the mound as he recorded 10 strikeouts in four innings of work.
Tristan Ellingburg was in his first season as head coach at J.Z. George.
