WESSON — The Co-Lin Lady Wolves split a South Division softballdoubleheader with the Pearl River Community College Lady WildcatsWednesday afternoon.

Pearl River broke the 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth inning totake a 3-2 win over Co-Lin in the first game. The Lady Wolves cameback in the second game to take a 5-1 victory.

Co-Lin (13-8, 2-2) travels to Ellisville Friday to meet theJones County Junior College Lady Bobcats. The first game begins at1 p.m.

Pearl River improved to 20-3 after the series and 4-2 indivision action.

“Pearl River has as good a team as they have ever had,” saidCo-Lin head softball coach Allen Kent. “We had a chance to win bothgames, but at least, we salvaged a split.

“This team has a lot of grit and determination,” added Kent.”The South is a murderer’s row, it’s going to be a dogfight to thefinish.”

Pearl River 3, Co-Lin 2

The Lady Wolves went up 1-0 over PRCC in the bottom of the firstinning. Leftfielder Devon Welch led off with a single to centerfield. First baseman Rebecca Rousseau sacrificed Welch to second.Centerfielder Emily Langley singled to left to drive in Welch.

In the top of the fourth, Pearl River came back with 2 runs offa 2 singles, a 2RBI single and a wild pitch.

Co-Lin came back to tie the game at 2-all in the bottom of theseventh. Third baseman Meleah Brown drew a walk. Catcher MissyPaulina singled to right field. Welch ripped an RBI single to rightto score Brown for the tying run.

With the international tie-breaker rule in effect, a runner wentto second base. Co-Lin pitcher Becca Bailey induced a popup on thebunt attempt. A groundout and a popup ended Pearl River’sthreat.

Co-Lin had a chance to win in the bottom as they sacrificed thewinning run to third but could not get the run across.

Pearl River scored in the top of the ninth and Co-Lin again hada runner at third but could not get the run across.

Bailey (4-3) struck out 11 batters, hit 1 batter, allowed 6 hitsand 2 unearned runs over 9 inning.

“Bailey did not deserve to lose that game,” said Kent. “We left9 runners stranded. We had opportunities all game with less thantwo outs and just didn’t get it done.”

PRCC pitcher Jessica Dubison scattered 6 hits.

Welch led the Lady Wolves with 2 hits. Adding singles were KaylaCrochet, Langley, Bailey and Brown.

Co-Lin 5, Pearl River 1

In the first inning, Brown led off with a double off the leftfield wall. Crochet singled. With 2 out, Rousseau hit an RBI singleto left.

In the top of the second, Pearl River tied the game at 1-all off2 singles and stolen base.

Neither team scored again until the bottom of the fifth. TheLady Wolves collected a pair of runs to take a 3-1 lead. Browndoubled off the left wall. Rousseau hit an RBI single. Baileysmoked a double to right to score Rousseau.

Co-Lin added another pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth andheld on for the win. Shortstop Ashley Sykes singled and ChelseyMiller was inserted as a pinch runner who stole second base. Pinchhitter Missy Paulina singled to left and Candace Avants entered torun. Avants stole second and Miller scored on a passed ball. Browndelivered a sacrifice fly to center to bring home Avants.

Crochet (4-1) went the distance, scattering 9 hits with 8strikeouts, 1 walk, 1 hit batter and 1 earned run.

“Crochet ended the inning 4 times with strikeouts and runners inscoring position,” stated Kent. “Becca Boone did a good job behindthe plate, handling the dropball.”

Co-Lin left 6 runners on base.

Browns’s 2 doubles, 2 runs scored and an RBI led the LadyWolves’ attack. Rousseau had 2 clutch, 2-out RBI singles.