Oxford is 0-6 against DeSoto Central since March of 2018 but things could change on Thursday. Oxford is taking a road trip to take on DeSoto Central at 5:30 p.m. Both come into the matchup bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Oxford is headed in fresh off scoring the most runs they have all season. Their pitcher stepped up to hand Horn Lake a 25-0 shutout on Tuesday. The Chargers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won seven contests by six runs or more this season.
Paisley Walls was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out seven batters over three innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits (and not a single walk). She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in nine consecutive appearances. She was even better at the plate, firing off two home runs and seven RBI while going 3-for-4. Those seven RBI gave her a new career-high.
Jacei Clark
| 03/25/25 @ Horn Lake | 3 |
| 03/18/25 @ Senatobia | 2 |
| 03/07/25 @ Pearl | 2 |
| 03/24/25 @ Pontotoc | 1 |
| 03/20/25 vs Southaven | 1 |
In other batting news, Oxford let Jacei Clark and Jayla Dukes run wild. Clark went a perfect 2-for-2 with one home run, three runs, and four RBI, while Dukes went a perfect 3-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and two RBI. Those three runs gave Clark a new career-high. Reagan Feathers also deserves some recognition as she snagged her first stolen bases of the season.
Oxford kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 18 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, DeSoto Central faced Lewisburg in a battle between two of the state's top teams on Tuesday. DeSoto Central walked away with a 5-2 victory over Lewisburg. The Jaguars haven't had any issues with the Patriots recently, as the game was their third consecutive win against them.
Colby Young spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered only one earned (and one unearned) run on four hits and racked up nine Ks.
On the hitting side, the team relied heavily on Londen Armstrong, who went 2-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and two RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Maddie Hudson, who went 2-for-3 with one triple and two RBI.
DeSoto Central pushed their record up to 14-2 with the victory, which was their fourth straight at home. The wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 10.5 runs over those games. As for Oxford, they now have a winning record of 9-8.
Thursday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. Oxford has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .457. However, it's not like DeSoto Central struggles in that department as they've averaged .445. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Oxford might still be hurting after the 12-6 defeat they got from DeSoto Central in their previous meeting back in April of 2024. Can Oxford avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
