MONTICELLO – Callie Fortenberry’s game-winning single in the seventh inning helped the undefeated Lawrence County Lady Cougars slipped past the Brookhaven Lady Panthers 5-4 Tuesday night in slowpitch softball action.

“Our hitting was not really good, but we managed to come through in the clutch,” said Lawrence County coach Meleah Brown. “The girls did a good job on defense to keep the game close. Overall, I am pleased to get the win. The girls kept fighting until the very end.”

The LCHS Lady Cougars (5-0) continue action Thursday. They host Region 7-4A foe, the South Pike Lady Eagles, for a varsity doubleheader. Game time is 5 p.m.

The Lady Panthers (4-5) visit Meadville to battle the Franklin County Lady Bulldogs. Junior varsity begins at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity game at 6.

Lawrence Co. 5, Brookhaven 4

Softball fans gathered to witness another tough battle between two rivals as both schools battled back-and-forth in the seesaw contest.

Brookhaven came out and grabbed a 1-0 in the first inning, before Lawrence County fought back to tie the game 1-1 in the second inning.

The Lady Panthers reclaimed the lead in the fourth inning by pushing across two runs to take a 3-1 lead. LCHS answered and tied the contest at 3-all in the fifth inning.

In the sixth inning, BHS managed to grab a 4-3 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Lady Cougars battled hard to tie the game at 4-4 all with the bases loaded. With one out, Fortenberry came though with a clutch hit to right field to give LCHS the victory.

Berri Rogers was the winning pitcher for LCHS with no strikeouts and three walks.

Alycen Speaks suffered the setback for the Lady Panthers with no strikeouts and two walks.

Left-center Lexie Johnson directed Lawrence County’s offensive charge with a double and two singles. Elizabeth Smith contributed three singles. Alyssa Pendergrass, Alexsundria Thomas and Fortenberry provided a pair of singles. Jamie Martin had a double. Hitting safely were Madison Hyde, Cierra Horton and Rogers.

Third baseman Katherine Shell was the offensive leader for Ole Brook with a double and two singles. Danielle Batiest provided two singles. Jada Henderson and Speaks hit safely.

“Both teams played outstanding defense,” said Brookhaven coach Chad Walker. “Our girls played their hearts out, but Lawrence managed to get the big hit at the end to win the game.”

In JV action, Brookhaven defeated Lawrence County 4-2.

Riley Allen tossed the win for the Lady Panthers with one strikeout and two walks.

Kat Wallace paced Ole Brook’s offense with two singles. Henderson had a double and Fallon Brooks singled.

Lawrence County led with singles from Alyssa Lambert, Carlie Ard, Emalee Gaffery, Alysa Anders, Karli Bass and Josey Nations.