Besides blowing a 2-run lead in the seventh inning, theBrookhaven Lady Panthers suffered two key injuries in their 8-4Tuesday night loss to visiting Franklin County. BHS pitcher BrookeHosick was hit by a line drive on her right (pitching) hand. Shesustained a fracture to her middle finger and shortstop EricaBridwell suffered a high ankle sprain when she was trying to beatout a throw to first base.

Ole Brook coach Chad Walker said Hosick would be lost for theremainder of the season. He said Bridwell would miss at least oneweek due to the injury.

Last week BHS rightfielder Dana Herring suffered a high anklesprain against McComb.

“We need some young players to step up,” said Walker. “Some youngpeople are going to get some reps.”

Franklin County junior shortstop Keke Collins hit a hard smash thatsplit open the last joint of Hosick’s middle finger during the6-run, 7th-inning comeback. Walker moved seventh grader KatherineShell to the mound and she finished the game. Hosick struck out 6batters and walked 2 before the injury.

Rachel Dier (2 K, 1 BB) was the winning pitcher in a 4-hitperformance.

At the plate, Christen Benson’s triple directed BHS. Erica Lenoir,Emily Freeman and Hosick singled as the Panthers ended a scorelessduel with 2 runs in the 5th. They plated 2 more in the 6th.

The Lady Bulldogs (8-5-2, 2-0) got 2 doubles from centerfielder LayLay Griffin. Catcher Allison Hauer collected 3 singles. Collins,Abbie Graves, Si’Edriq Middleton and Kenyatta Hunt singled.

The Lady Panthers (9-8) resume play today at McComb, meeting theLady Tigers in a region 5A showdown. Junior varsity action is at 5p.m., followed by the varsity at 6.

Coach Dana Smith’s Bulldogs are at Tylertown today for a region 3Agame. Varsity action starts at 5 p.m. as the teams complete arain-delayed game. It will be followed by a second game.