WESSON — In a battle for the Division 6-2A title Tuesday night,the St. Andrew’s Lady Saints collected the big hits when theyneeded to and beat the Wesson Lady Cobras 7-3 in girls slowpitchsoftball action.

No. 2 seed Wesson (8-12, 6-2) hosts Enterprise (Clarke) Thursdayin the opening round of the 2A state playoffs. No. 1 seed St.Andrew’s (26-2, 8-0) entertains Newton County. The first game ofthe best-of-three series begins at 5 p.m.

“St. Andrew’s has a good ball club,” said Wesson head coachJemmye Ann Helms following the game. “They’re very fundamental.They are a good hitting ball club. We made too many errors.”

The Lady Saints jumped on the Lady Cobras early for a 4-0 leadin the top of the first inning. Right-centerfielder Maeve Wilson,shortstop Katherine Nichols and first baseman Parry VanLandinghamsingled to load the bases with one out. Left fielder EleanoreHanlon drilled a triple to score three runs. Right fielder GinnyNipps grounded out as Hanlon scored the fourth run.

In the bottom of the first, Wesson left-centerfielder SummerEasterling led off with a double and stole third base. Left fielderBethany Dykes singled to score Easterling and cut the deficit to4-1. Easterling was a perfect-4-for-4 at the plate, adding a tripleand a pair of singles.

The Lady Cobras scored their second run in the bottom of thethird to trim the deficit to 4-2. Easterling led off with a singlefollowed by first baseman Stacey Lowery and shortstop Perry K. Furrwith a single to load the bases with two out. Pitcher Julie Berrydrilled a single up the middle to score Easterling.

St. Andrew’s picked up their fifth run in the top of the fourth.Nipps ripped a double and scored on a sacrifice fly by AmandaChatham.

Wesson cut the deficit to 5-3 in the bottom of the fifth.Easterling slammed a triple to left field and was sent home on asingle by third baseman Nikki McCardle.

In the top of the sixth, the Lady Saints collected two more runsto push their lead to 7-3. Wilson advanced to first base on aWesson error. With two out, Hanlon belted a single which rolled tothe fence to score Wilson and herself on an outfield error.

“Wesson has a lot of girls that stepped up tonight,” said St.Andrew’s head coach Mark Fanning. “We got out ahead early. That’show we won the game. We didn’t hit well. We are proud to get thewin.”

Adding support for Wesson with a single were catcher MonicaGarcia, right fielder Lauren Smith and Lowery.

Charitta Williams and VanLandingham added a single for St.Andrew’s.