BOGUE CHITTO — The Bogue Chitto Lady ‘Cats got the key hitswhen they needed Thursday night to defeat Nanih Waiya’sWarriorettes in the first game of the best-of-three series in thesecond round of the Class 1A state fastpitch softball playoffs.

Bogue Chitto (18-7) travels to Nanih Waiya (15-4) Saturday forthe second game, beginning at 1 p.m. If a third game is necessary,it will follow immediately.

In other first-game action, Vardaman beat Hickory Flat 11-4,East Webster dumped Salem 5-1 and Smithville knocked off Ingomar7-2 in the second round. The second games of the second round willbe played Saturday.

Bogue Chitto out hit Nanih Waiya 12-8 at the plate. Both teamscommitted 2 errors apiece.

“Both teams hit the ball well,” said Bogue Chitto head coachScott Leggett. “Nanih Waiya is a scrappy team. We must maintain ourfocus and get one game over there.”

The Lady ‘Cats opened the first inning with a 1-0 lead. Afterthree, Bogue Chitto pushed its lead to 4-0. Going into the fifth,the hosts led the visitors 5-0.

In the sixth, Nanih Waiya scored 1 run and Bogue Chitto added 2more to maintain at 7-1 advantage. The Warriorettes added 1 morerun before the Lady ‘Cats ended the game.

“We made too many errors,” said Nanih Waiya coach JenniferHoldiness. “We cannot win against a good team if we do not hit theball well. We waited too late to make a rally at the end.”

Directing Bogue Chitto at the plate with a triple and 2 singleswas Josie Porter. Kelli Howard and Darcy Miller collected 2 singlesapiece. Singling were Shaquille Burton, Caitlin Owen, MikkiMitchell, Bradi Davis and Jessie Miller.

Howard was the winning pitcher with 5 strikeouts and 1 walk.Megan Holdiness absorbed the loss with 1 strikeout and 4 walks.

For Nanih Waiya, Megan Holdiness and Laken Fulcher led with 2singles apiece. Hitting safely were Kara Lane Newell, Amanda Ewing,and Kayla Hampton.