MONTICELLO — Over the past several years, theBrookhaven/Lawrence Co. softball series has either been a blowoutspecial or a close shave. Tuesday night’s Division 6-4A matchup wasa defensive struggle that came down to the final play of thegame.

With 2 outs and the bases loaded, the LCHS Lady Cougars walkedthe winning run across home plate and claimed a 4-3 win over theLady Panthers. With the win by Lawrence County, Ole Brook waseliminated from postseason play which begins next week.

The division champion Lady Cougars and Florence advance to theplayoffs.

Brookhaven (13-8, 5-3) hosts McComb Thursday for a varsitydoubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. Ole Brook hosts the BrookhavenInvitational Saturday at the Hansel King Sportsplex.

Lawrence County (12-5, 8-1) wraps up its regular seasonThursday, traveling to Mendenhall for a single varsity game at5.

Lawrence Co. 4, Brookhaven 3

Defense was the theme of the game as both teams made severaloutstanding plays, negating each team’s offense. It would be asee-saw battle right down to the final play. There were 2 ties and4 lead changes in the 7-inning affair.

Ole Brook opened the scoring in the top of the first. Leadoffbatter Hannah Lowman reached on an error. Shortstop Terri Hodgesdoubled to score Lowman, and the Panthers held a 1-0 lead.

LCHS responded with a pair of runs in its half of the second,forging a 2-1 advantage. With no outs, Tiara Griffin singled. AlexHarris doubled. Natalie Harrington’s single scored Griffin. KateDavis’ sacrifice fly to left-center field scored Harris.

The Lady Panthers realized a 2-2 deadlock in the top of thethird. With 1 out, Lowman singled. Hodges doubled Lowman to third.Katie Stewart’s sacrifice fly to short scored Lowman.

Brookhaven, coached by Lisa Covington, reclaimed the lead at 3-2in the fourth. With 1 out, Brianna Ashmore singled. Cary Anne Rakesingled. Two batters later, Sarah Ayers’ single scored Ashmore.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Lady Cougars tied the game at3-3. Sage Mobile doubled. Two batters later, Harris singled.Harrington’s sacrifice fly to left field would score Mobile.

After a pair of scoreless innings, LCHS set the stage for thegame-winner. Harris singled; reaching third on a fielding error inthe outfield by the Lady Panthers. With 1 out, Davis drew anintentional walk. Pitcher Bridgee Williams walked. Shortstop DeeDeeWalker popped up to right field for the second out. Senior thirdbaseman Ashley Jones walked on 4 pitches, allowing Harris toscore.

“I am proud of the girls tonight for keeping their composure,”said Lady Cougar head coach Jill Haney following the game. “Bothteams played outstanding defense and they both hit the ballhard.”

Harris led the Lady Cougars with 2 singles, a double and 2 runsscored. Mobile doubled and tripled.

For Ole Brook, Lowman singled and scored twice. Ashmore singled,doubled and scored a run. Rake and Ayers each had a pair ofsingles.

“I am proud of the girls tonight,” said Covington. “They gave agood effort.”

Williams got the win for the Lady Cougars, while Ashmoresuffered the loss.