Union County Softball: Myrtle gets walk-off as New Albany gets win over Olive Branch
Rhodes’ Walk-Off Homer Lifts Myrtle Past North Pontotoc in 8-7 Thriller
February 24, 2026
It took nine innings and one final swing.
Chole Rhodes delivered a two-run walk-off home run to left field in the bottom of the ninth inning Tuesday night, lifting the Myrtle Varsity Lady Hawks to a dramatic 8-7 victory over North Pontotoc.
Trailing 7-6 entering their final at-bat, Myrtle found a way. After battling back throughout the late innings, Rhodes stepped to the plate and ended it with one swing, sending the Lady Hawks’ dugout into celebration.
Back-and-Forth Battle
Myrtle opened the scoring in the bottom of the first behind timely extra-base hitting. Mary Ella Mayer doubled to bring home the game’s first run as the Lady Hawks jumped ahead early.
North Pontotoc answered and kept pressure on Myrtle’s pitching staff throughout the night. The Lady Cougars tied the game at four in the top of the seventh when K. Frazier doubled down the left-field line.
North Pontotoc then seized control in the eighth. R. Naugle singled to right field and E. Coker followed with a single down the right-field line, each driving in a run to give North Pontotoc a 6-4 advantage.
Myrtle refused to fold. The Lady Hawks tied the game in the bottom of the eighth with the help of a North Pontotoc error and a sacrifice fly by Khole Bennett.
In the top of the ninth, C. Williams delivered a clutch RBI single to give North Pontotoc a 7-6 lead, setting the stage for Myrtle’s final comeback.
Rhodes made sure there would be no extra innings.
Inside the Box Score
Brooklyn Streich went the distance for Myrtle, earning the win after tossing nine innings. She allowed 13 hits and seven runs (four earned), struck out nine, and walked just one.
H. Pitts took the loss for North Pontotoc despite a strong outing. She worked eight innings, allowing eight runs (three earned) on eight hits, striking out five and walking four.
Offensively for Myrtle:
- Chole Rhodes: Walk-off two-run homer, 2 RBI
- McKenzie Wise: 2 RBI
- Mary Ella Mayer: 2-for-3, double, RBI
Myrtle played clean defense, committing no errors and turning one double play. Mayer led the team defensively with 10 chances.
North Pontotoc pounded out 13 hits in the loss:
- E. Coker: 3 hits
- C. Williams: 3 hits, RBI
- R. Naugle: 3 hits, RBI
- K. Frazier: 3 RBI
- L. Simmons: 2 hits
Team Totals
North Pontotoc
7 runs, 13 hits, 6 errors
Myrtle
8 runs, 8 hits, 0 errors
In a game defined by momentum swings and late-inning drama, Myrtle had the final answer. Rhodes’ walk-off blast capped one of the most exciting finishes of the early season.
Union County Recap: New Albany Explodes for 19-4 Win Over Olive Branch
It was an offensive showcase in Union County as the New Albany Varsity Lady Bulldogs rolled past Olive Branch 19-4 on Tuesday, highlighted by a 10-run third inning that blew the game open.
New Albany set the tone early. After Olive Branch took a 1-0 lead on a first-inning double, the Lady Bulldogs answered in the bottom half with a passed ball, a two-run triple by Huffman, and an RBI single from Edwards to grab a 4-2 lead.
Olive Branch briefly tied the game in the second thanks to a triple and an error, but New Albany flipped the momentum for good in the bottom of the inning, plating five runs to take a 9-4 advantage. The biggest moment came on a bases-loaded walk by Huffman that drove in two runs.
The third inning put it away. The Lady Bulldogs erupted for 10 runs, capitalizing on timely hits, hit-by-pitches, walks, and defensive miscues. Curbow delivered a two-run single during the rally, while multiple batters were hit with the bases loaded to force in runs.
Bryan earned the win in the circle, allowing five hits and four runs (two earned) over three innings while striking out five and walking none.
Offensively:
- Huffman: 3 RBI
- Bright and Curbow: 2 hits each
- Spencer: 3 walks
- Team total: 8 walks, 7 stolen bases
New Albany showed patience at the plate and aggression on the bases, turning the contest into a runaway victory.
The Lady Bulldogs return to action Thursday at home against Potts Camp.