The host West Lincoln Lady Bears swept two straight games fromthe Richton Lady Rebels Saturday afternoon in the first round ofthe Class 1A/2A state fastpitch softball playoffs. The games areplayed under the best-of-three format.

West Lincoln crushed Richton 8-2 in the opener and 7-0 in thefinale.

The 14-4 Lady Bears, coached by Andrew Redd, travel toPhiladelphia Thursday for the second round of the state tournament.Philadelphia eliminated Clarkdale Saturday.

Heather Huff (14-4) was the winning pitcher in the doubleheader.Huff struck out 2 batters and walked one in the first game andfanned 2 and walked none in the finale. The losing hurler was ChloeMalone.

Errors played a big role in the games. West Lincoln had twoerrors on the day while Richton finished with a fatal 15.

West Lincoln 8, Richton 2

West Lincoln scored one run in the first and second innings fora 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the third, the Lady Bears exploded forsix runs to take an 8-0 lead. Richton scored two runs in the top ofthe sixth as West Lincoln cruised to the win.

“We had that big fourth inning,” said Coach Redd. “We had atwo-out rally.”

Lauren Smith smashed a triple for the Lady Bears. Doubling wasHuff. Holli Smith, Britnee Smith, Carrie Fauver and Kacey Smithsingled.

Richton committed seven errors and West Lincoln made two.

West Lincoln 7, Richton 0

The Lady Bears went up 2-0 on the Lady Rebels in the firstinning and 4-0 in the third. West Lincoln added three runs forinsurance in the fourth to take the win.

“We got a lot better hits in the second game,” explained Redd.”We played better on defense. Our bats really came around.”

First baseman Alicia Kennedy powered the Lady Bears at the platewith a triple and three singles. Huff ripped a home run. CatcherLauren Smith drilled a triple and a single. Hannah Knousesingled.

Casey Ruffin singled twice for the Lady Rebels.

Richton committed eight errors in the second game.