By Brad Greer
The North Delta fastpitch softball team geared up for the start of district play by splitting four games over the weekend as they hosted the Lady Green Wave tournament.
North Delta kicked off  the two-day event Friday afternoon with a 9-5 win over Greenville Washington in four innings after the hour-and-a half time limit expired.
The Lady Wave returned to the diamond Saturday where they dropped a pair of games to Magnolia Heights and Bayou before defeating Marshall.
In the victory over Washington, North Delta jumped out to a 7-0 lead after two innings before holding off a late General rally.
North Delta plated three runs in the bottom of the first on two hits and one Washington error before adding four runs in the second.
Janie Brasell got things started in the first with a leadoff single then scored on Maci Kirkland’s triple. Following a strikeout, Hailey Rikard beat out an infield single to plate Kirkland for the second run. Rikard later scored on an error off the bat of Taylor Barton.
North Delta extended its lead to 7-0  in the second as Barton’s two-run triple highlighted the inning. Isabella Morrow, Brasell, Rikard and Ally Alford all singled in the frame.
Washington rallied with five runs in the third to close the margin to 7-5, but could not get any closer as North Delta added two runs in the bottom of the fourth as time expired.
Sarah Johnson struck out six of the eight batters she faced over two innings to earn the pitching win. Alford earned the save by tossing the final two innings, giving up five runs on five hits while walking three and fanning one.
Brasell, Rikard, Alford and Morrow recorded two singles while Barton and J. B. Swindoll chipped in with singles.
Magnolia Heights 5, North Delta 4
The Lady Wave led 4-2 after four innings before Magnolia Heights plated three runs in top of the fifth to claim the come-from-behind victory.
Rikard paced the home team offensively with two singles while Barton added a two-run single that led to a four-run third.
Alford was tagged with the pitching loss after surrendering three runs (one earned) on two hits in one inning of relief work. Johnson fanned nine batters  and gave up two unearned runs over four innings.
North Delta 4, Marshall 3
(5- innings)
The Lady Wave broke open a 2-1 lead with two runs in the bottom of the fourth then holding on for the win.
Johnson (3-0) struck out 14 and scattered three hits to earn the complete game victory.
Kirkland suppiled two singles while Brasell registered a double and single and scored two runs. Johnson helped her own cause with a double. Rikard and Morrow each singled.
Bayou-11 North Delta-0
North Delta closed out the tournament with a lopsided loss to their district rival. Johnson and Kirkland singled for the only Green Wave hits.
North Delta (3-3) will open up District 1-AAA today hosting Lee Academy at 5 and 6:30 p.m.