MEADVILLE – Franklin County’s Kacey Smith turned the openinground of the Class 3A state slowpitch softball playoffs into herown personal playground Tuesday afternoon, making play after playto keep her team going on offense and defense.

FCHS split with Purvis before rain postponed Game 3 until todayat 4 p.m.. Purvis won the first game 5-4, but Franklin Countybounced back to win the second game 14-0.

“We’ve got to be ready for Game 3,” said FC head coach DanaSmith, who is anchored by her husband Mickey Smith on the LadyDawgs coaching staff. “We hit the ball like we could in Game 2.We’ve just got to keep that momentum going into the next game.”

Smith’s daughter, Kacey, a junior shortstop for the Lady Dawgs(17-7) came up big when the Lady Bulldogs needed it the most,producing four hits for five RBIs, and drawing two walks during themuddy two-game tilt. She also turned two double plays ondefense.

In Game One, Smith’s inside-the-park home run gave FCHS a 3-1advantage after five innings of play. Purvis struck back, platingfour runs in the top of the sixth for a 5-3 lead. Franklin Countycould only muster one run the rest of the way.

“Game One we didn’t do too well,” said Coach Dana Smith. “Wemade five errors and that led to five runs for them.”

Nikki Beck led Purvis at the plate in Game One, with a singleand an RBI triple. Rachel Perry got the win.

For Franklin County, Mildred Starks suffered the loss. KaceySmith led all batters with a homer and a single. Vintrice Briggsadded a single and a double for the Lady Bulldogs. Desiree Buie hadtwo singles.

Franklin Co. 15, Purvis 0

In Game Two, Franklin jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in thesecond inning and never looked back. Smith plated a two run doublein the inning, as heavy showers moved in and out during thecontest. The Lady Dawgs added 12 runs in the next four inningsforcing the 10-run mercy rule.

Smith and Latroya Griffin led with a double and a single forthree RBIs each in the game. KeKe Collins and Vandrianna Normanadded two singles apiece for an RBI.

Mildred Starks collected the win for the Lady Bulldogs, strikingout two.

Rachel Perry absorbed the loss for Purvis.