BOGUE CHITTO – The Brookhaven Lady Panthers rallied in the fifth inning and surpassed the Bogue Chitto Lady Cats 4-2 Monday night in softball action.

“Good win,” said BHS coach Chad Walker. “The girls came through with the big plays offensively and defensively to get the victory.”

The Lady Panthers (12-10, 3-2) have already clinched second place in the Region 6-5A race. They visit Pearl to battle the Lady Pirates today in a makeup game. Junior varsity action kicks off at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity game at 6:30.

BHS is scheduled to start the first round of the state playoff Friday on the road at West Point, starting at 4 p.m. They return home to host Games Two and Three on Saturday, at 2 p.m.

The Lady Cats (16-7, 5-1) resume action Thursday. They host the Loyd Star Hornets. The junior varsity game begins at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity action at 6. BC has received a first round bye in Friday’s playoffs and has elected to make up their game with Region 7-2A champion Wesson. They will host the Wesson Lady Cobras. Brookhaven 4, Bogue Chitto 2

BHS managed to get on the scoreboard first in the opening inning and take a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the first, the Lady Cats answered and pushed across two runs and take the lead at 2-1.

BC and Brookhaven battled back and forth in a scoreless affair in the second through the fourth innings, before the Lady Panthers managed to take advantage of BC miscues to reclaim the lead at 4-2 in the fifth inning.

Freshmen Katherine Shell was the winning pitcher for the Lady Panthers with one strikeout and three walks.

Freshmen Christian Black suffered the setback for the Lady Cats with a solid performance of 10 strikeouts and four walks.

Freshmen shortstop Taylor Murray sparked Brookhaven’s offense with two singles. Hitting safely were Shelby Peavey, Alycen Speaks, Shelby Case and Shell.

Daley Roberts was the offensive leader for BC with two singles. Mallory Allen contributed a double. Adrienne Wallace and Alexis Givens hit safely.

“We had a defensive letdown in the fifth inning,” said BC coach Scott Leggett. “We made too many uncharacteristic mistakes. Overall, we did not hit the ball very well offensively, but we still should have won.”

In JV action, Bogue Chitto defeated Brookhaven 8-4.

Reagan Kirkland directed the offensive charge for the Lady Cats with two singles. Brooke Myers, Kerri McGehee and Rachel White hit a single apiece.

The Lady Panthers were led on offense with singles from Haley Speaks, Tia Bussey and Jaylia Humphrey.