WESSON — In a Wednesday showdown of South Division fastpitchsoftball powers, the Co-Lin Lady Wolves and Gulf Coast CommunityCollege Lady Bulldogs settled for a split. Co-Lin won the opener2-1 and Gulf Coast took the nightcap 4-3.

The Lady Wolves (19-2, 5-1) absorbed their first South Divisionsetback of the season. The Lady Bulldogs (22-5, 5-1) gained a shareof the South lead with their victory.

“It was two great games,” said Gulf Coast head coach KennethLong before boarding the sparkling team bus for the 3-hour rideback to Perkinston. “Co-Lin has a very good team, so we were happyto get a split.”

Long’s daughter, freshman Lindsey Long from East Central atHurley, struck out 8 batters and walked none in the victory. Shestranded the tying run on second base after allowing a leadoff walkto Jackie Stowe. After giving up a sacrifice bunt to Stacy Smith,Long struck out Amber Beeson and got Beth Smith on a long fly ballout to right field, ending the game.

“I think (Lady Bulldogs) only had one earned run in the secondgame,” said Co-Lin head coach Allen Kent. “We didn’t make theroutine plays on defense and that cost us.”

Kent said he was pleased with the performance of freshmanpitcher Emily Horne who pitched both games. “Emily is a warrior.She gave us a chance to win that second game. She stepped up anddid a good job for us.”

Co-Lin 2, Gulf Coast 1

Co-Lin centerfielder Angie Davis made a diving catch to preservethe victory in yesterday’s opener. Gulf Coast left the tying run onsecond base.

Horne, a right-hander from Pearland, Texas, struck out 7batters, walked 5 and allowed 1 run on 2 hits.

Gulf Coast pitcher Shelly Lavender (11-2), a sophomore fromLyman (Harrison Central), struck out 8 batters and walked none.

Gulf Coast 4, Co-Lin 3

In Game Two, Cindy Hayes doubled home Lavender for a 1-0 lead inthe top of the first. Co-Lin gained a 1-1 deadlock in the bottom ofthe second, when Mandy Vinson hit a 2-out, 2-strike solo homer overthe left field fence. It was Vinson’s first homer of hercareer.

In the fourth, Vinson gave Co-Lin a 2-1 lead. Her RBI singleover shortstop scored Beeson who had led off with a sharp single toleft.

In the fifth, Gulf Coast claimed a 3-2 lead. Heather Matos ledoff with a double to left field and scored her team’s second run onLavender’s RBI single. With the bases loaded, the Bulldogs wentahead on Jill Landry’s grounder to short.

In the sixth, Erin Boyd’s RBI single pushed home Brandi Farmerwho had led off with a single, giving the Bulldogs a 4-2advantage.

Farmer led the triumph with a double and a single. Lavender alsodoubled and singled.

Co-Lin finished with 7 hits. Vinson, a sophomore rightfielderfrom Brookhaven, went 3-for-3.

Horne struck out 6 batters, hit 2 and walked 2.

“WE outhit them 10-8 but we left 10 runners stranded on base,”said Kent. “Gulf Coast has a good team and we knew it would be adog fight.”