RIDGELAND – Freshman pitcher Katherine Shell struck out 11 batters, scattered 4 hits and the Brookhaven Lady Panthers dumped Ridgeland’s Lady Titans 9-5 Thursday in Class 5A softball. Shell issued 4 bases on balls.

Coach Chad Walker’s Lady Panthers (4-3) broke open a close game with a 4-run, fourth inning and plated 3 more runs in the fifth.

Directing Brook’s 7-hit attack was Releigh Allen with 2 singles. Christen Benson doubled. Alycen Speaks, Shelby Case, Taylor Murray and Katie Grace Culpepper singled.

Jana Kay Newell (3K, 4BB) was the losing pitcher.

A triple by Natalie Erwin led Ridgeland in batting. Madison Bennett, Vee Harris and Newell singled. They were unable to capitalize on 4 BHS errors.

Junior Varsity Results

Brookhaven beat Ridgeland 5-3 in the preliminary JV game as Mary Parker Jackson (3K, 3BB) pitched the win. Hailee Busy (2K, 5BB) absorbed the loss.

BHS got singles from Haley Speaks and Madison Case.