LAUREL – The Lawrence County Lady Cougars suffered a tough 2-1 loss to the Northeast Jones Lady Tigers Tuesday night in the first game of the best-of-three series in Class 4A state fastpitch softball playoffs.

The Lady Cougars (20-7), coached by Meleah Howard, will be looking to rebound quickly when they host the Lady Tigers in Monticello today for the second and third games, starting at 5:30 p.m.

Lady Tigers 2, Lady Cougars 1

The Lady Cougars and the Lady Tigers fought in a scoreless battle until the fifth inning, when Northeast Jones plated two runs.

In the top of the sixth inning, the Lady Cougars scored one run to cut into the Lady Tigers’ lead, but it wasn’t enough to steal the win.

Jordan Harp suffered the setback on the rubber for Lawrence County with nine strikeouts and no walks in five innings of work. Elizabeth Smith (1K, 1BB) pitched the final two innings in relief.

Hayleigh Rogers pitched the win for Northeast Jones with five strikeouts and no walks.

Alyssa Lambert paced the Lady Cougars with a RBI single. Callie Fortenberry, Josie Nations, Sydney Pevey, Elizabeth Smith and Maddux Kirkland provided a single each.

Delanie McMillan and Hayleigh Rogers were the top hitters for the Lady Tigers with two singles each.