SUMMIT-The Lawrence County Cougars took a firm hold on the Division 7-4A slow pitch softball race, beating the North Pike Jaguars 8-1 in a division contest at North Pike. LCHS was powered by Jamie Martin, who hit a first-inning grand slam, and Madison Hyde, who had a homer and a double.

“We had a good night,” said Lawrence County coach Meleah Howard, “but we’ll have to play them again. We’re happy to get the win, but you can’t win a division in one night. We’ve still got a long way to go.”

Lawrence County put five runs on the board before most fans were settled into their seats. Callie Fortenberry’s single, an error and a walk set the stage for Martin’s grand slam, before North Pike recorded an out. After that, Hyde doubled and scored on Lexie Johnson’s single.

North Pike’s lone run came in the bottom of the first. Jami Spears led off with a base on balls, and scored on Madison Bates’ single. A potential second run, however, was gunned out at the plate by LCHS left-center fielder Lexie Johnson. North Pike did not get another base runner past second base.

Hyde led off the fifth with a homerun. The Cougars tallied two more as Cierra Horton, Johnson, Barri Rogers, and Fortenberry hit.

Fortenberry led Lawrence County with three hits. Martin, Hyde, Johnson, and Tiera Collins added two hits each. Allie Summers had two hits for North Pike.