BUDE – Taylor Murray slapped two singles and an inside-the-park home run against Franklin County, leading the Lady Panthers to a 15-2 Thursday night fastpitch softball victory in their season opener. Winning pitcher Katherine Shell tossed a 3-hitter as she struck out 7 batters and walked 4 in the 4-inning game.

Brookhaven resumes play Tuesday at Magee.

The Franklin County Tournament starts Saturday at 9 a.m., with the Lady Bulldogs meeting Wesson. Port Gibson plays Lawrence County at 10:20, followed by Wesson versus Vicksburg at 11:40, Lawrence Co. vs. Natchez Cathedral at 1 p.m., Wesson vs. Port Gibson at 2:20, Vicksburg vs. Lawrence Co. at 3:40, Franklin Co. vs. Cathedral at 5, and Franklin Co. vs. Vicksburg at 6:20.

“Our girls played well tonight,” said 8th-year Ole Brook head coach Chad Walker. “They also played sound defense and put the ball in play.”

Senior infielder Shelby Peavey collected 3 singles in the victory. Alycean Speaks, Shelby Case and Katie Grace Culpepper also hit safely as the Lady Panthers took a 3-0 lead in the top of the first. They plated 11, fourth-inning runs to evoke the 10-run mercy rule.

Losing pitcher Harley McKay fanned 3 batters and walked 2. Her team committed 4 errors.

Coach Dana Smith’s Lady Bulldogs got singles from Courtney Hauss, Hayle McKinney and Hailey McDaniel.

Junior Varsity Results

Franklin County posted a 7-4 win in the preliminary JV game. Mary Parker Jackson (2K, 0BB) was the winning pitcher.

Two singles by Riley Allen and 1 by Jayden Fuller led Ole Brook’s offense. The defense committed 4 errors.