The Brookhaven Lady Panthers used a mixture of offense anddefense to come from behind and defeat the host West Lincoln LadyBears 8-6 Tuesday evening in a slow-pitch softball action.

The Lady Panthers authored 5 runs in the top of the seventh, andretired West Lincoln’s batters 1-2-3 in the bottom of the inning topreserve the victory.

“This was a big win for us,” said Lady Panther head coach LisaCovington. “I am proud of the girls for hanging in there.”

Covington is a West Lincoln graduate which made the win moremeaningful to her.

Brookhaven and West Lincoln played to a 1-1 deadlock in the JVgame.

Brookhaven 8, West Lincoln 6

The Lady Panthers (3-2) trailed 6-3 heading into the top of theseventh. Their bats came to life, scoring 5 runs and hammering 6hits, including 5 in-a-row at one point.

The rally started with 1 out as Taylor Crane doubled. AshleySykes singled to score Crane. Brittany Smith and Allyson Wallacehit consecutive singles to load the bases.

A Terri Hodges double scored Sykes, Smith and Wallace asBrookhaven regained the lead at 7-6. Two batters later, ChristiMartin doubled to score Hodges.

“We just could not hit the ball,” said West Lincoln head coachAndrew Redd. “Brookhaven played good defense.”

In the bottom of the seventh, the Lady Bears (4-2) got a leadoffdouble form Brittani Phillips. Heather Huff fouled out. Holli Smithgrounded to short. During the throw to first, Phillips tried toadvance to third. But Brookhaven first baseman Kelly Vinson threw aperfect strike to third baseman Kayla Prince on a close play forthe final out to end the game.

“Our defense came through when we needed it,” addedCovington.

Pitcher Brittany Smith picked up the win for Brookhaven, issuinga walk and a strikeout. Smith scored a run and singled twice.

Crane led the Lady Panther offensive with a pair of singles, adouble and 2 runs scored. Hodges singled, doubled, scored a run andhad 3 RBIs. Wallace singled and scored twice. Martin and Vinsoneach singled and doubled. Sykes singled twice.

Phillips, who suffered the loss for West Lincoln had a strikeoutand walked one. At the plate, Phillips singled and doubled.

Kelsey Bass led the Lady Bear charge with 2 runs scored and 2singles. Lauren Smith scored twice. Ashley Palomarez had 3 singlesand scored. Huff singled twice.

In the JV game, time ran out on both ballclubs. West Lincoln gotits lone run from Emily Powers while Brookhaven’s run came fromJana Wallace.

Brookhaven plays at Bogue Chitto Thursday, beginning at 5 p.m.with the JV game. West Lincoln hosts North Pike for a JV/varsitydoubleheader Thursday at 5 p.m.