MCCOMB – In slowpitch softball, a team must have a balancedoffensive and defensive attack to be successful. If an earlySaturday morning start was any indication, the Bogue Chitto LadyBobcats will be a force to be reckoned with for the 2001season.

Bogue Chitto used a combination of offense and defense to authortwo impressive wins and lay claim to the McComb PreseasonRound-Robin Classic championship. The Lady Bobcats pounded hostMcComb 13-2 in the 8:30 a.m. opener, and squeaked by Brookhaven 5-2in the final game.

In other tournament action, McComb beat Brookhaven 16-12 in anon-division matchup.

Bogue Chitto 13, McComb 2

The Lady Bobcats (1-0) used a 6-run fourth inning to putthe Lady Tigers away.

Jessica Melton and Randi Moak led the offensive barrage,scoring 3 runs apiece. Melton added 2 singles and a triple. Moakprovided 2 singles. Marquita Ratcliff had 2 singles, a double and 2runs scored. Kia Porter delivered 2 singles and a run scored. TracyWallace singled and scored a run. Amanda Wallace singled twice andscored a run. Karen Wallace doubled and scored a run. Meleah Brownscored a run.

Kia Porter was the winning pitcher for BogueChitto.

McComb (0-1), coached by Linda Price, got runs fromChrishanta Brown and Elise Gilbert. Allison Casciola suffered theloss for the Lady Tigers.

McComb 16, Brookhaven 12

Brookhaven (0-1) seemed poised to open a scoring bingeof their own in the top of the first. Chuvaqua Smith and DevinePorter issued back-to-back singles. Chiquita Rancifer homered toleft and gave the Lady Panthers an early 3-0 lead.

McComb (1-1) would answer with 5 runs in the bottom ofthe inning to take a 5-3 lead.

The Lady Panthers cut their deficit to 5-4 in the third.Rancifer and Samantha Boutwell delivered back-to-back singles.Lizzie Wilson’s double scored Rancifer.

The Lady Tigers sent 10 batters to the plate in thethird, scoring 8 runs to take a 14-4 lead.

Brookhaven tried to rally in the fifth and sixthinnings, but the McComb defense snuffed out any comeback hopes bythe Lady Panthers.

Rancifer paced the Brookhaven offensive with a homerun,2 singles and 3 runs scored. Wilson added 2 singles, 2 doubles and2 runs scored. Devine Porter singled and scored twice. Smithsingled twice and scored a run. Boutwell singled twice and scored arun. Shameka Gilmore tripled and scored a run. Ginny Dunawaysingled and scored a run. Courtney Fielder scored a run. MeganBateman and Ashley Sykes singled individually.

Carciola got the win for McComb. Vinson took the lossfor Brookhaven.

Brown scored 4 runs to lead the LadyTigers.

Bogue Chitto 5, Brookhaven 1

Bogue Chitto used a stingy defense against Brookhaven topull off the 4-run win.

“We have always had the ability,” said first year LadyBobcat head coach Adriane Albritton. “We played well offensivelyand defensively today.”

Melton, a 5-foot-7 junior shortstop, set the tune forthe Lady Bobcats. She led off the game with a homer to left. Meltonadded another homer and singled to lead Bogue Chitto.

Moak, Ratcliff and Amber Maldonado scored for the LadyBobcats. Ratcliff delivered 2 singles. Amanda Wallace and MarleyPorter had singles.

Boutwell scored Brookhaven’s lone run. Wilson andGilmore issued singles.

Porter was the winning pitcher for Bogue Chitto. Vinsontook the loss for Brookhaven.

“Kia did a good job today,” added Albritton. “She is anexcellent fielder.”

Bogue Chitto travels to Dexter, Aug. 20. Brookhaventravels to Rankin County to meet Pearl on Tuesday.