PETAL — The Petal Lady Panthers defeated the Lawrence CountyLady Cougars Tuesday in the best-of-three series in the secondround of the Class 4A state slowpitch softball playoffs. LawrenceCounty won the opener 6-4 but fell to Petal 13-3 in the second gameand 3-2 in the finale.

The Lady Cougars, coached by Tarvey Ward, finish the season withan 18-8 record.

Brittany Inman was the winner. Kaila Givens (18-8) absorbed thelosses.

Lawrence Co. 6, Petal 4

The first game was tied 4-4 going into the top of the eighthinning. Lawrence scored twice to take the win.

Powering the Lady Cougars with three hits each were Cori Walkerand Givens. Jasmine Courtney tripled. Collecting two hits wereMaygan McCloud and Sonni Smith. Hitting safely were Emily Smith,Jessica Johnson and Ellie Fairburn.

Petal got three hits each from Krysta Kirk and Molly Herrin.Judy Barber tripled and singled. Morgan Speights, Kate Mitchell andInman drilled two singles apiece.

Petal 13, Lawrence Co. 3

The top hitter for the Lady Cougars in the second contest wasJohnson with three singles. Hitting safely were Courtney, EmilySmith, Walker, Kate Davis, Fairburn and Lorrin Baker.

Directing the Lady Panthers with a home run, a triple and asingle was Barber. Speights and Inman collect three hits apiece.With two hits were Ashton Dukes, Herrin, Kirk, Mitchell and JillWedgeworth.

Petal 3, Lawrence Co. 2

In the finale, Petal scored the game-winning run in the bottomof the sixth and held off Lawrence in the seventh to win theseries.

Leading the Lady Cougars with two singles was Courtney. McCloud,Sonni Smith, Davis, Walker and Brittany Collins singled.

Wedgeworth. tripled to lead the Lady Panthers.