Lady Devils sweep Ole Brook

Published 12:40 am Sunday, April 13, 2014

DAILY LEADER / MARTY ALBRIGHT / Brookhaven's first baseman Alycen Speaks secures the out at first before Pearl River Central runner Brooklyn Kirk can reach the base in softball action Friday.

DAILY LEADER / MARTY ALBRIGHT / Brookhaven’s first baseman Alycen Speaks secures the out at first before Pearl River Central runner Brooklyn Kirk can reach the base in softball action Friday.

The Brookhaven Lady Panthers suffered two disappointing losses Friday night against the Pearl River Central Lady Devils in Region 6-5A softball action at the Ole Brook softball complex.

The Lady Devils swept the varsity doubleheader by edging the Lady Panthers 9-7 in game one and thumped Brookhaven 9-2 in game two.

“The girls played hard,” said Brookhaven coach Chad Walker. “We just failed to take advantage of the opportunities we had to score runs when we had runners on base.”

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The Lady Panthers (5-15, 0-2) resume action Tuesday as they prepare to host a doubleheader. Brookhaven battles Natchez for another big region test starting at 5 p.m. In the nightcap, the Lady Panthers take on the Bogue Chitto Lady Cats beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Pearl River Central 9, Brookhaven 7 

The Lady Panthers and Lady Devils provided an exciting offensive show in game one as both teams fought hard in an effort to secure a big win in the region race.

After three inning of action, the game remained tied at 3-all, before Pearl Central managed to capitalize on a few Ole Brook’s miscues to secured an 8-4 lead in the top of the fifth inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, and in the following sixth and seventh innings, the Lady Panthers outscored the Lady Devils 4-1, but failed to inch closer to claiming their first win in district play.

Hailee Buras tossed the victory for Pearl River Central, collecting 13 strikeouts and allowing only one walk.

Katherine Shell suffered the setback for Ole Brook with nine strikeouts and two walks.

Ellayna Warren was the top hitter for the Lady Devils with a solo home run and a grand-slam home run. Austin Pruitt contributed a double and two singles. Hitting safely were Hannah Ruster, Autumn McNeely and Karli Fitzgerald.

Shell directed the Lady Panthers at the plate with three singles. Katie Grace Culpepper, Tia Bussey and Rileigh Allen provided a pair of singles each. Jada Henderson, Fallon Brooks and Jadeyn Fuller hit safely.

Pearl River Central 9, Brookhaven 2 

In game two, the Lady Devils quickly took care of business as they jumped on the Lady Panthers to grab a 6-1 lead after four innings of action and continued to roll to secure the sweep.

Taylor Harris pitched the win for the Lady Devils with five strikeouts and one walk.

Shell absorbed the setback in game two for Brookhaven with no strikeouts and three walks.

Warren led the offensive charge at the plate for Pearl River Central with a double and two singles. Pruitt added three singles. Gabby Keller ripped a pair of singles. Shelby Loozon had a double. Brooklyn Kirk and Fitzgerald hit safely.

Henderson paced the Lady Panthers’ offense with a double and a single. Fuller, Allen and Shell hit a single apiece.