LINDEN &8212; Marengo Academy will enter today&8217;s Class AA AISA State Softball Tournament as the No. 1 seed, opening play against eighth-seeded Escambia Academy at 10 a.m.

Mathis reports his team has been overly tense in its last few outings, a fact he believes has inhibited their offensive production.

One of the great advantages the Longhorns will have going into the tournament is the amount of tough competition they have faced this year.

In order to add to that experience and prevent his team from going too long in between games, Mathis scheduled scrimmages against Faith Academy and Clarke Prep during the past week.

As they head into the tournament, the Longhorns will look to get minimal work from both Ashley Stokes and Michelle Pritchett in game one against Escambia.

If the strategy proves successful for Mathis, he will be able to stagger his pitchers for the games following.

Should MA win game one, it would face the winner of the match between Jackson Academy and Patrician Academy at 3 p.m. today. One loss in today&8217;s action during the double-elimination tournament would leave the Longhorns having to play three games in order to survive until Saturday&8217;s play.

If the Longhorns are able to run through the tournament to the state championship, it would prove a milestone achievement for the program.