HURLEY — East Central’s Linsey Dickerson conducted a pitchingclinic in the opening round of the Class 4A fastpitch softballstate playoffs. She pitched a no-hitter and a 3-hitter, leading theLady Hornets to 1-0 and 5-0 shutouts of Brookhaven’s LadyPanthers.

The Lady Panthers, with no seniors and just two juniors on thesquad, finish 17-9.

“We played our hearts out but we just came up short,” said OleBrook softball coach Chad Walker. “I’m very proud of these girlsand the way they played against one of the best teams in thestate.”

East Central (25-4) advances to the second round and plays LongBeach in a best-of-three series which begins Thursday.

East Central 1, Brookhaven 0

The Lady Hornets pushed home the winning run n the bottom of theseventh inning to end a scoreless duel. Losing hurler Terri Hodgesfanned 7 batters and walked none, allowing 3 hits.

Courtney Murray doubled and singled for East Central.

Ole Brook’s Jordan Beeson spoiled Dickerson’s bid for a perfectgame by reaching base on an error. Dickerson fanned 13 batters andwalked 0 in the opener.

East Central 5, Brookhaven 0

Dickerson (15-3) struck out 9 batters and walked 1 in thenightcap. A double by Hodges led Ole Brook. The Lady Panthers gotsingles from Brittany Bateman and Kelsey Freeman.

Dickerson had hits for East Central which scored 4 runs in thesecond.