Christian Benson slapped to an RBI single to left field, liftingthe Brookhaven Lady Panthers to a thrilling 6-5 Monday nightvictory over Franklin County in eight innings. Franklin County hadtaken a 5-2 lead in the top of the eighth on a warm night at theLady Panthers Softball Complex.

“The girls have been struggling all year but we finally met ourpotential tonight,” said BHS fastpitch softball coach ChadWalker.

Walker’s girls (6-9, 3-1) are at Mendenhall tonight for Division6-4A action. They visit Loyd Star Thursday for a makeup game.

In the bottom of the eighth, BHS rallied for 4 runs. CaseyRisher doubled home 2 runs. Sabrina Delaughter’s sacrifice flyscored Risher, tying the scoreboard at 5-5. Benson’s clutch singlepast the shortstop chased home Stevie Wright with the winningrun.

Risher led the Panthers with a double and a single. Benson andLowman each had 2 hits.

Benson hit an RBI single to score Brook’s first run in thefifth, ending a scoreless duel. The second run scored on a wildpitch.

“It was a good game and Brookhaven played well,” said FC coachDana Smith. “We stepped it up at the end and showed some character.We just made a critical error at the end.”

On the mound, Brooke Hosick (1 K, 0 BB) collected the win,giving up 11 hits. Kacey Smith (3 K, 5 BB) hit 1 batter andabsorbed the loss.

The Bulldogs (10-4, 1-1) had gained a 2-2 deadlock in the top ofthe seventh, forcing overtime. A 2-run single by Destiney Dedeauxgained the tie.

In the eighth, Karlee Mullins got the Bulldogs rolling with anRBI single, scoring Keke Collins with the go-ahead run. A sacrificefly scored the second run and Morgan Knapp spanked an RBI triplefor a 5-2 advantage.

At the plate, Knapp, Mullins, Dedeaux and Courtney Reed finishedwith 2 hits apiece.

Junior Varsity Results

Franklin County defeated BHS 7-3 in the preliminary JV game asDedeaux (6 K, 0 BB) pitched the win. Madeline Delaughter (7 K, 6BB) absorbed the loss.

A triple by Vandriana Norman led FC’s attack. Collins singledtwice. Kiarra Sykes singled.

BHS got singles from Dana Herring and Carey Crozier.