Lady Arrow softball team has successful season

By Danny C. Davis

Fourth-year Clinton Lady Arrow head softball coach Rachel Hurley feels her team showed a lot of improvement in the 2025 season they just completed. After losing in the opening round of the 2024 playoffs to Desoto Central, Hurley challenged her team by scheduling tougher non-district opponents this season.

     Playing a tougher schedule paid off for the Lady Arrows.

     The Lady Arrows upset #4-ranked and second seeded in Region 1-7A Desoto Central this time around in two games in the opening round of the North Class 7A softball playoffs to advance to the North Class 7A quarterfinals. Desoto Central was 9-1 in district games and finished 23-5 after being knocked out by Clinton.

     CHS fell to district rival Madison Central Lady Jaguars in a couple of close games, 4-2 and 5-2, in the quarterfinals to end the season 19-12 overall and 5-3 in Region 2-7A. That was the Clinton Lady Arrow’s best record since fishing 19-7 in 2016.

     Hurley, a Virginia native, moved to Mississippi her senior year of high school and played softball for the North West Rankin Lady Cougars, finishing high school in 2005. She then attended Mississippi College and Mississippi State University and played softball at both schools.

     “This year, playing a much tougher regular season schedule, our girls rose to the occasion more than once,” said Hurley. “Of our twelve losses, nine of the games were close games, losing by two runs or less. We also focused a lot on making the off-season more challenging than it had been, pushing the girls to new limits in the weight room and on the field.  They helped lead to our success this season.”

     In the regular season, the Lady Arrows defeated Warren Central twice, split with North Pike, defeated Northeast Lauderdale, split with Starkville, beat Newton County, swept Tupelo in two games, split and beat Madison Central twice.

     “We knew going into the playoffs that Desoto Central was a very well coached team and a well-rounded team that had put us out of the playoffs a year before,” said Hurley. “Everybody did their job and found a way to help the team find a way to win in the end. We had a lot of timely hits and a great job by our starting pitcher and our defense.”

     Leaders for the Lady Arrows this season included pitcher Annalise Whitworth, who threw 148.1 innings and ended the year with a 2.41 era.  Makenzie Cooley and Estrella Constancio played key roles on offense this year, with both of then having over thirty RBIs. Also, Cooley had five home runs. Hayden Leigh Holifield was a staple for Clinton on defense, making a lot of big plays in big moments. Keelyn Constancio had a good season on offense, with a season batting average of .488. Catcher Kaylin Thames played well behind the plate, throwing out ten runners attempting to steal bases. Madison Nelson was a key role player at third base. Destiny Funchess, Cailyn Willis and Jaelyn Gholar were all stellar in the outfield, as was Anna Raines at first base.

     “The group of six seniors were a very special group to coach. They had a goal this year and would not be stopped until we as a team reached our goals. They did a great job leading the team on and off the field. I am extremely proud of them and that we have three girls signing to play at the next level. Their leadership played a huge role in how we played in the playoffs.”

     “We are already looking forward to next season. We will have six starters back and are looking forward to another year of getting better and competing in our region the Class 7 A North,” said Hurley.