MONTICELLO – When Brookhaven and Lawrence County meet on thesoftball diamond, you can expect a close-knit, competitive contestthat will go down to the last out. Before several hundredenthusiastic fans, neither team disappointed as the Lady Panthersescaped with a 2-1 Division 6-4A win over the homestanding LadyCougars Thursday night.

Brookhaven improves to 9-3 overall and 3-1 in division play.Lawrence Co. fell to 5-5 and 2-2.

Brookhaven travels to Clinton to participate in the Clintontournament Saturday. The Lady Panthers play Poplarville at 10:45a.m., Cleveland at 3:15 p.m. and host Clinton at 6:15. LawrenceCounty plays at Mendenhall Tuesday.

Brookhaven 2, Lawrence Co. 1

“It was a good defensive game,” said Lady Panther head coachLisa Covington. “This is what Brookhaven and Lawrence Countysoftball is all about.”

It would be LCHS’ Jill Haney’s ballclub that would open thebottom of the second with a 1-0 lead. With 1 out, DeeDee Walkerdoubled. Two batters later, pitcher Bridgee Williams’ single drovein Walker.

Brookhaven realized a 1-1 deadlock in the top of the third.Kelsey Freeman tripled off the first pitch from Williams. CatcherKarlee Martin’s ground out to short allowed Freeman to score.

“Brookhaven got the big hit when they needed it,” Coach Haneysaid. “This is a good rivalry game.”

The Lady Panthers brought the winning run across home plate inthe sixth. Martin singled. With 2 outs, pitcher Casey Rishersingled. Terri Hodges’ base hit would score Martin.

Risher authored the win for Ole Brook. Williams took the lossfor Lawrence Co.

Collecting hits for the Lady Cougars were Sage Mabile,Alexandria Harris, Shelby Mitchell (2) and Williams. Walkerdoubled. Reaching base for Ole Brook were Risher, Hodges, GeorgiaRae Rainer, Katie Stewart and Martin. Freeman tripled.

Brookhaven posted a 6-1 in the JV game.