HS Softball: Big inning sends Midland Trail past James Monroe

Sophomore Stephanie Harrell smacks a 2-run homer and collects the win in the circle

The postseason loss to James Monroe last year was still fresh in the memory for Midland Trail softball.

Friday afternoon that thought pattern was clearly evident.

Hosting the Lady Mavericks for the first time in 2026, it was a reversal of fortunes for the two rivals.

Riding a 13-hit attack and a second-inning explosion, Midland Trail picked up a key AA Region 3 win over James Monroe, 16-2 in five innings.

Lady Patriots head coach Candace Young talked about the win over the regional rival.

James Monroe stormed out of the gate, scoring two runs before Midland Trail stepped to the plate.

A double from Peighton Griffith and a single by Trinity Hill each drove in one run for the quick start.

Trail answered immediately.

Madison Rader doubled and later scored on some heads-up base running via a pop-out in foul ground.

Harrell then evened the game with a two-out single that scored Aubrie Spencer.

The sophomore hurler then stepped in the circle and set James Monroe down with three strikeouts, allowing her team to go back to work at the plate.

And work they absolutely did, scoring nine runs to blow the game open.

Nevaeh Hall singled home Kyndal Parsons, who had doubled ahead of her, for the initial lead of the game for Trail before Rader ripped a double down the left field line for a 5-2 advantage.

An error and a two-RBI single by Lexi Stanley added three more runs bringing Harrell to the plate.

Harrell then drove a one-strike pitch deep over the left field fence moving the lead to 10-2 and the Lady Patriots never looked back.

Rader was a perfect 3-for-3 on the day with two doubles and two RBI's, while Harrell was 2-for-2 with three RBI's.

Raelyn Morris recorded a two-RBI single and Abby Parcell added an RBI.

The win evens Midland Trail's record at 4-4 ahead of a Monday clash with Richwood in Hico.

Harrell was named the Rainelle Medical Center Player of the Game and talked about her big day.