MADISON — Coach Todd Haygood and his Franklin County ladenSouthern Explosion fastpitch softball girls finished sixth over theMemorial Day Weekend at the Madison Motion Holiday SoftballTournament. The team went 1-4.

“We did very well I felt,” said Haygood who serves as headsoftball coach at Franklin County High. “We rebounded and playedvery good after getting beat early on by the two tournamentfavorites.”

Haygood’s young ladies which are composed of players fromFranklin, Amite and Pike Counties suffered a pair of shutouts tothe Louisiana Ripper Blues (6-0), and the Louisiana Ripper Reds(7-0). Both teams are based out of West Monroe, La.

“Those two teams from West Monroe have already played 30 to 40something games this year on the summer circuit,” added Haygood.”We were just playing our first.”

Haygood’s girls won their only game in the 16-team tournamentagainst the Batesville-based Dixie Darlings 9-7 Sunday afternoon.Kristen Oglesby highlighted the victory at the plate and on themound.

“Kristen did an outstanding job,” continued Haygood. “She reallystepped it up.”

Oglesby struck out four batters to collect the win on the mound,she added two inside the park home runs and a single at theplate.

“Winning that game really helped us.” added Haygood. “It wassome teams up their that played that didn’t even win a game.”

Besides Oglesby’s explosions of hits and pitches, Courtney Reidadded two singles and North Pike-native Belinda Wright added adouble and a single to pace Haygood’s team.

The Southern Explosion will next play in the “Rumble on theRiver” tournament at Vicksburg on June 18-20.

Representing the team are Heidi Thornton, Joycelyn Haygood, KateBrasher, Allison Spears, Shelby Lofton, Coleigh Cardigan, ShelbyCardigan, Courtney Reid, Belinda Wright, Taylor Stewart andOglesby.

Haygood gives special thanks to all the sponsors and FranklinCounty Supt. of Education Lona Thomas for their keen help andassistance.

“This is a great experience for our kids, said Haygood.”Softball is on the rise here in Mississippi and playing in theseyear-round tournaments makes us and the sport better.”