BOGUE CHITTO – The Bogue Chitto Lady Cats secured the final spot for the State 1A slowpitch softball playoffs as they knocked off the Stringer Lady Red Devils 10-9 Thursday night in Region 8-1A action.

     “The girls played a great game,” said BC coach Scott Leggett. “This was a huge game for both teams. I’m extremely proud to get the win. Now, we have to get ready for the playoffs.”

     The Lady Cats (17-6, 2-2) start their playoff march Tuesday, traveling to Louisville to battle the Nanih Waiya Lady Warriors. Game time has not been set.

BC 10, Stringer 9

     Bogue Chitto and Stringer fans gathered to watch their schools fight for the final playoff spot. Both teams provided a fierce battle from start to finish and gave their fans plenty to cheer about both offensively and defensively.

     The Lady Red Devils (11-7, 1-3) came out strong in the first inning to take a 4-0 lead. BC fought back in the bottom of the first to trim the lead to 4-1.

     In the third inning, the Lady Cats managed to capitalize on Stringer miscues to claim a 6-4 lead and increased their lead to 8-4 in the fourth inning.

     Stringer, refusing to give up, rallied back to cut BC’s lead in the top of the fifth and trailed 8-7.

     In the bottom of the fifth and top of the sixth inning, both teams scored two runs apiece. BC’s defense stepped up in the seventh to end the Lady Red Devils’ final rally to take the victory.

     “This was a great game between two schools fighting for the final softball playoff spot,” said Stringer coach David Mosley. “The outcome could have went either way. Both teams hit the ball well, but Bogue Chitto managed to capitalize on our miscues and walks to capture the win.”

     Stringer committed 4 errors and Bogue Chitto had 6.

     Kerri McGehee pitched the win for BC with one strikeout and one walk.

     Melissa Collins suffered the loss for Stringer with no strikeouts and three walks.

     Catcher Marshonikique Blackwell was the offensive leader for the Lady Cats with a double and a single. Christian Black contributed two singles. Mattie Avants provided a triple. Adrienne Wallace ripped a double. Hitting safely were Rheagan Welch, Colby Kirkland, Earlneshia Dillon and McGehee.

     Left fielder Morgan Smith directed the Lady Red Devils’ offense with a double and two singles. Kaitlyn McCurty and Michaela Gambrelle contributed a pair of singles. Ashley Valentine had a double. Tesha Jones, Madison Parker and Jennifer King hit safely.