Brookhaven and Lawrence County, the two most dominant teams inDivision 6-4A slowpitch softball, met at the Hansel King SportsplexThursday night. With first-place on the line, both ballclubsdisplayed outstanding defensive play.

It would be the Lady Panther offense that stole the show to thetune of a 10-2 division win over the Lady Cougars.

Brookhaven posted a come-from-behind 11-10 over Lawrence Countyin the junior varsity game.

Brookhaven participates in the Clinton Tournament Saturday atTraceway Park. The Lady Panthers play Ridgeland at 10:45 a.m.,followed by Clinton at 4:45 p.m. and Moss Point at 6:15. LawrenceCounty travels to Natchez for a JV/varsity doubleheader at 5p.m.

“We did not hit the ball,” said Lady Cougar head coach TarveyWard. “You can not win if you don’t hit the ball.”

The Lady Panthers (10-2, 4-0) opened the scoring in their halfof the first inning on a RBI single by Allyson Wallace that scoredBrittany Smith for a 1-0 lead.

Brookhaven, coached by Lisa Covington, exploded for 6 runs inthe third to gain a 7-0 advantage. Taylor Crane, Ashley Sykes,Brittany Smith, Wallace, Terri Hodges and Christi Martin scored.Sykes’ 2-run inside-the-park homer highlighted the inning.

Covington’s ballclub scored a run in the bottom of the fifth.Martin reached on a single. Three batters later, Lauren Smith’ssingle scored Martin.

The Lady Cougars (10-3, 3-1), the defending division champions,plated a pair of runs in their half of the sixth. Kaila Givensreached on a fielder’s choice. Jasmine Courtney singled. EmilySmith doubled to score Givens. Jessica Johnson’s ground out tosecond scored Smith.

Ole Brook answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of thesixth. Sykes singled. Brittany Smith’s inside-the-park homercleared the bases.

“This is a big win for us,” said Covington following the game.”We hit the ball well and our defense was outstanding.” Covingtonwas referring to their defensive play which included an old-fashion6-4-3 double-play to end the game.

The Lady Panthers, winners of 10 consecutive games, including apair of forfeit wins over South Pike and Terry, delivered 17 hits.Brittany Smith, who authored the win, had a single, a double and ahomer at the plate. Sykes homered and singled twice. Lauren Smithhad 3 singles.

Kaila Given suffered the loss for the Lady Cougars. Lorrin Bakersingled twice. Givens and Courtney each scored.

In the JV game, Brianna Ashmore picked up thewin for Brookhaven while Cori Walker suffered the loss for LawrenceCounty in relief of starter Rhianna Garrett.

For the Lady Panthers, collecting hits were Hannah Lowman,Amanda McIntyre, Katie Stewart, Jana Wallace, Casi Langston,Sabrina Delaughter, Brianna Ashmore, Ashley Parks, Kelsey Freemanand Brittany Bateman. Lowman (2), McIntyre, Caryanne Rake,Langston, Ashmore (2), Parks (2), Freeman and Bateman scored.

For the Lady Cougars, Katie Davis (3), Rhianna Garrett, BrittneyCollins (2), Shaina Starks (3), Kenyachta Myers, Tiara Townsend(2), Kamilah Baylis, Dee Dee Walker, Sonni Smith and Lorrin Bakersingled. Runs were produced by Davis, Garrett, Starks, Myers,Townsend, Baylis (2), Walker (2) and Baker.