MONTICELLO—The Lawrence County Cougars started the slow-pitch softball season in style on Tuesday, beating 6A Warren Central 6-2.

Defense was the key for Meleah Howard’s girls on Tuesday. Warren Central pounded the softball, but got only two first-inning runs to show for it. Outfielders Callie

Fortenberry and Tyranesha Davis had huge defensive nights, and the Lady Cougar infield was rock solid.

“Slow pitch is a hitting game,” Howard said, “but tonight we won with defense. Warren Central smoked the ball all night, but we had a great game in the field.”

Warren Central opened the game with four straight line-drive singles, but scored just two runs as the Lady Cougars thwarted the rally with a 4-6-3 double play.

LCHS responded with single runs in each of the first four innings to grab a 4-2 lead, then tallied two insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth. Shortstop Sydney Pevey and first baseman Skylar Speights each banged two doubles.  Pitcher Julianna Johnson and Davis also had two hits each, with both Davis singles driving in runs.

Maddux Kirkland, Josey Nations, and Raylee Ready each had one hit for the Lady Cougars. Johnson had a solid game on the mound, facing 25 batters and not allowing a single walk. Sara Kate Smith and Aniah Fultz each had two hits to lead the Lady Vikings. Fultz, a standout shortstop, had a phenomenal game in the field.

Lawrence County will resume slow-pitch action on Saturday, playing two games in the West Lincoln Classic. The Cougars will face off against the Bogue Chitto Bobcats and the Franklin County Bulldogs at 10:30 a.m. and  12 p.m. respectively. Saturday’s games are a makeup for the Classic which was originally scheduled for last Saturday.

Three other slow-pitch softball games were slated for the day, but were cancelled due to poor field conditions and weather.

Brookhaven Academy, West Lincoln and Bogue Chitto were all forced to call off their scheduled games.