Clinton’s Kaeleigh Crutchfield doesn’t pitch like an eighth grader. Crutchfield handcuffed Brookhaven’s Lady Panthers with a 7-strikeout, 2-hitter and the Lady Arrows soared to a 14-1 Friday night victory in 4 innings, at the Lady Panther Softball Complex.

“Kaeligh did a great job of keeping (Panthers) off balance,” said second-year Clinton coach David Price. “It’s easy to pitch when you’re not behind on the scoreboard.”

Price’s Lady Arrows (4-6) compete in a strong Class 6A region that includes Madison Central and Northwest Rankin. He watched his team collect 15 hits, led by third baseman Robin Russell who doubled, tripled and drove in 4 runs. Catcher Molly Douglas had 3 hits.

Price saiud he only has 2 seniors and 2 juniors on his young squad. “We have to build some confidence on our team. We are taking some lumps right now.”

Clinton leadoff batter Bailey Winscott is a seventh grader. She singled twice and scored 4 runs.

Price said he appreciated Brookhaven’s hospitality. “We enjoyed our trip. We were treated with top-notch class.”

It was the second straight loss for the Lady Panthers (3-2). They lost an extra-inning, 11-10 decision at Natchez Cathedral Thursday night.

Ole Brook head coach Chad Walker gathered his team together behind third base and spoke to them for several minutes after the game. They will host Lincoln County rival Bogue Chitto Tuesday night, starting with a junior varsity game at 5 p.m.

Walker praised Crutchfield’s performance in the circle. “She kept us off-balance. We should have hit the ball better. Those early errors we made hurt a lot. Things kind of snowballed after that.”

Clinton scored twice in the first inning and plated 4 more in the second. Russell provided a 2-run double over the right fielder’s head and the Arrows led 5-zip.

Trailing 6-0, the Panthers scored their only run in the second inning. Destiny Trevillion reached on an error with 2-out. Shelby Peavey’s single past second base drove her home, making it 6-1.

BHS left-fielder Katie Grace Culpepper accounted for a first-inning single. Crutchfield and relief pitcher Morgan Dubose, also an eighth grader, didn’t allow a hit after the second inning. Only 1 BHS batter reached first base on a walk, and that was Peavey, who led off the bottom of the first.

Freshman hurler Katherine Shell (3-2) gave up 15 hits. She walked 1 batter and struck out none.

Junior Varsity Results

In the preliminary JV game, Clinton cruised to a 10-1 victory.