PASS CHRISTIAN – The Lawrence County Lady Cougars were eliminated from the Class 4A State Softball Playoffs last Wednesday, falling to the Pass Christian Lady Pirates in the final two games of the best-of-three series.

Lawrence County lost a tough 8-7 decision in game two and fell to the Lady Pirates 12-6 in game three.

In Tuesday’s contest in Monticello, the Lady Cougars thumped the Lady Pirates 12-2 in game one.

The Lady Cougars, coached by Meleah Howard, concluded their season with a 24-7 record overall and finished in third place in the Region 7-4A race with a 5-3 record.

Pass Christian 8, Lawrence Co. 7 

In game two, the Lady Pirates came out and quickly set the tone of the game as they grabbed an early 3-0 lead in the first inning of action.

The Lady Cougars managed to get on the scoreboard in the top of the second inning and cut into Pass Christian’s lead at 3-1 after scoring one run. The Lady Pirates would regain their three-run advantage over Lawrence County in the bottom of the third inning to lead 4-1.

In the top of the fifth inning, the Lady Cougars would roar back with a five-run surge to claim their first lead of the day at 6-4, but Pass Christian answered in the bottom of the fifth inning by plating two runs to tie the contest at six-all.

In the top of the sixth inning, Lawrence County pushed across one run to reclaim the lead at 7-6 and held on to the lead until the seventh inning.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Lady Pirates managed to score two runs to get a 8-7 victory and kept the series alive by forcing a decisive game three.

Jordan Harp suffered the setback on the rubber in relief for the Lady Cougars with one strikeout and three walks. Elizabeth Smith (7K, 1BB) started for Lawrence County.

Tiera Collins was the top slugger at the plate for the Lady Cougars with a home run and a double. Josey Nations contributed a double and a single. Callie Fortenberry and Jamie Martin provided a pair of singles. Madison Hyde ripped a double. Hitting safely were Maddux Kirkland, Alexsundria Thomas, Lexie Johnson, Sydney Pevey and Elizabeth Smith.

Pass Christian 12, Lawrence Co. 6 

In game three, the Lady Cougars took charge of the contest in the first inning as they pushed one run across the plate to take a 1-0 lead and added another run in the top of the third inning to secure a 2-0 advantage.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Lady Pirates’ bats came alive as they stormed back with a five-run surge to take over the lead at 5-2.

In the fourth, fifth and sixth inning, Pass Christian continued their hitting streak and outscored the Lady Cougars 7-2 to push their lead to 12-4.

In the top of the seventh inning, Lawrence County worked hard to make a comeback as they scored two runs, but could not overcome the Lady Pirates’ large lead.

Jordan Harp absorbed the setback in the pitching circle for Lawrence County with one strikeout and four walks. Elizabeth (0K, 0BB) and Josey Nations (0K, 1BB) also saw some action in relief.

Jamie Martin directed the Lady Cougars’ offense with a home run and two doubles. Alexsundria Thomas continued the pace with two doubles and a single. Lexie Johnson provided a double and a single. Maddux Kirkland had a double. Callie Fortenberry, Elizabeth Smith and Madison Hyde hit safely.