WESSON – Co-Lin rebounded from an opening game loss to beat GulfCoast 4-3 Monday in a fastpitch softball showdown at Katie Rouchpitched a 3-hitter. Gulf Coast won the opener 4-2.

The twinbill split left Co-Lin (12-3) and Gulf Coast (8-7) tiedfor first place in the South Division at 4-2. Co-Lin resumes playtoday at Hinds and visits Mississipppi Delta Wednesday.

Co-Lin 4, Gulf Coast 3

In the fifth inning, Co-Lin’s Holli Hankins drilled a 2-rundouble to right field to score Casey Ward and Dana Coke, givingCo-Lin the lead. Hanks went 3-for-3. Coke, Rouch and Danielle Rossalso hit safely.

“Katie Rouch really came through for us in a big game,” saidCo-Lin coach Allen Kent. Rouch (5-0) tossed a 3-hitter, strikingout 3 and walking none. She also had an RBI single.

“Kelly Fuller was a vacuum at shortstop for us,” said CoachKent. “Dana Coke was solid at second base and Krystal Groom playedwell defeinsely in center.”

Gulf Coast broke open a scoreless duel in the fourth inning,with 3 runs on 2 errors. Ross answered with an RBI triple. Rouchsingled home Ross.

Gulf Coast 4, Co-Lin 2

According to Kent, losing pitcher Katie Fallin (4-2) pitchedwell enough to win most games. She struck out 5 batters and walked4. The Lady Wolves committed 2 costly errors.

“Gulf Coast has a solid team,” said Kent. “We outhit them (8-6)but couldn’t put together enough hits when it counted.

Gulf Coast is the 2-time defending state champion.

Ward went 3-for-4. Rightfielder Jerrica Boutwell singled twice.Coke, Ross and Fallin singled.