RICHLAND – The Richland Lady Rangers won Tuesday’s opener 5-4but Lawrence County’s Lady Cougars came storming back in theopening round of the Class 4A state slowpitch softball playoffs.They won the second game 11-10 and prevailed 12-7 in third game,exploding for 6 runs in the top of the seventh.

The Lady Cougars (15-6) advance to the second round and hostQuitman Saturday for another best-of-three series.

“Our girls played pretty decent,” said LCHS interim coach TarveyWard. “We hit the ball pretty well.”

LCHS starting third baseman Kristen Sauls suffered an injuryprior to the series when she slammed the car door on herfinger.

Lawrence 12, Richland 7

The Cougars finished with 18 hits. Richland had 16.

Shelby Mitchell (0, 1 BB) was the winning pitcher. Jordan Rimeswas the losing hurler.

Four hits by Mitchell directed the victory. Dalphne Armstrongand Hannah Calcote each had 3 hits.

Lawrence 11, Richland 10

A bases-loaded homer by shortstop Allie Harris lifted theCougars past Richland in a nail-biter. The Cougars had blown a 10-0lead as the Rangers rallied.

Mitchell (0 K, 1 BB) picked up the victory. Harris and Mitchellboth tripled. Mary McLaurin and Jessie Alexander doubled.

Richland 5, Lawrence 4

The Rangers scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth.Allie Peterson hit a leadoff triple and came home on a single byLindsey Harper.

Calcote had the only extra-base hit, a double, in theopener.

Harris, Mitchell, Alexander and Kayla Byrd each had 2 hits.