Madison Central edges SHS 4-2

The Starkville Yellowjackets may have lost their second game to the defending Class 6A State champions within a week’s time, but it was a much better effort on Friday night against Madison Central.

After dropping a 15-5 decision to the Jaguars on Tuesday at Madison, the Jackets played much better and only suffered a 4-2 defeat at home in the Class 6A, Region 3 rematch.

Griffin Little took the loss for SHS, but pitched well with six innings, four walks, two strikeouts, six hits and three runs given up.

After the Jaguars took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, the Jackets bounced back to tie the game 1-1 on a RBI single by C.J. Kemp.

Madison Central added a run in the third and fourth to take a 3-1 advantage, then Starkville scored one run in the fourth as Josh Arnett drove in a run with a single.

The Jaguars added one more run late to provide the needed cushion.

Kemp had three hits and scored a run to go along with his RBI, while Carter Bentley had a hit and run scored for the Jackets. Tyler Stoval also had a hit.

Harrison Haley was the winning pitcher for Madison Central. He went four innings and gave up five hits, two runs, one walk and five strikeouts.

Starkville, which fell to 5-8 overall and 0-2 in the division, is scheduled to play at West Point today, weather permitting.