Lawrence County’s senior Jamie Martin smashed a grand slam home run in the top of the seventh inning to help propel the Lady Cougars to a 21-20 victory over the Brookhaven Lady Panthers in non-divisional softball action Thursday night.

“I am very proud of my girls for fighting back in the seventh inning to secure the win,” said LCHS coach Meleah Howard. “We managed to get the clutch hits we needed at the end. Brookhaven has a very good team and I was really impressed with the way they hit the ball.”

Friends and family members gathered to recognize their seniors for Senior Night as Julianna Porter, Chantel Quarles and Danielle Batteast received showers of gifts and hugs from their families and friends.

The Lady Panthers (15-11, 10-0) will wrap up their regular season on the road Saturday as they visit Summit to take on the North Pike Lady Jaguars. Junior varsity action starts at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity game at 6 p.m.

The Lady Cougars (20-8, 3-1) will take off the rest of the week to start preparing for the first round of the playoffs, which begins Tuesday. Lawrence County will travel to Collinsville to battle the West Lauderdale Lady Knights for a best-of-three series starting at 5 p.m.

Lawrence Co. 21, Brookhaven 20 

The Lady Cougars and the Lady Panthers gave their softball fans an exciting old fashion offensive show Thursday night. Both teams lit up the scoreboard with a total of 41 points on 44 hits, which include 12 homeruns.

In the first three innings of action, Lawrence County came out and overpowered the Lady Panthers to secured a 16-6 advantage.

In the fourth through sixth innings, Brookhaven answered the LCHS challenge by outscoring the Lady Cougars 14-0 to secure a 20-16 lead before going into the top of the seventh inning.

In the top of the seventh inning, the Lady Cougars rallied back by pushing five runs across the plate, which was capped off by Martin’s grand slam home run to secure a 21-20 advantage before going into the bottom half of the inning.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Lady Panthers fought back once again as they threaten to reclaim the lead, but fell short in the end. The third out was recorded just before the tying run crossed the plate.

Barri Rogers was the winning pitcher for the Lady Cougars with no strikeouts and three walks.

Rileigh Allen suffered the setback for the Lady Panthers with no strikeouts and four walks.

Martin powered LCHS offense with a grand slam home run and three singles. Tiera Collins continued the charge with a grand slam home run. Madison Hyde smashed two home runs. Lexie Johnson contributed a home run, a double and two singles. Cheyenne Long and Callie Fortenberry provided three singles each. Rogers had a double and a single. Alexsundria Thomas ripped a double and Karli Bass singled.

Julianna Porter directed the Lady Panthers offense with two homeruns and three singles. Danielle Batteast and Katherine Shell help to lead the pace with a pair of home runs each. Fallon Brooks contributed a home run and a three singles. Kat Wallace helped with a double and two singles. Haley Speaks and Allen provided two singles apiece. Hitting safely were Jada Henderson, Chantel Quarles and Tia Bussey.

“I am extremely proud of my girls effort,” said BHS coach Mandy Vinson. “We fought back from 10-runs down and had the chance to win the game. We have been working hard all season to stay competitive in every game we play and it showed tonight. Our seniors played a great game. Lawrence County has a good team and they got the hits they needed to win at the end.”

In JV action, Lawrence County thumped Ole Brook 14-8.

Alyssa Lambert was the top hitter for LCHS with a double and two singles. Raylee Ready provided three singles. Tyraneshia Davis contributed a double and a single. Abbey Turnage had a triple. Sydney Pevey and Jordan Harp ripped a double each. Hitting safely was Julianna Johnson, Josey Nations and Abbie Errington.

Jadeyn Fuller and Madison Thompson paced the Lady Panthers at the plate with two singles apiece. Cheyenne Motley had a double. Shanyiah Jackson and Maria Wilson hit safely.