The Lady Cobras of Wesson forced Franklin County to beg for mercy Monday night, scoring a pile of runs in a single inning to kill the game early in a 12-0 run-rule victory.

What started out as a fan’s sleeper of pop fly free-for-alls turned into a breakout display of sound fundamentals, as the Lady Cobras quit dallying in the fifth inning and knocked 10 runners home in an explosion of offense. Franklin County had no answer and the game ended there in the fifth on the mercy rule.

“We came out very slow in the first innings and didn’t really show up the way we needed to until the fifth inning. That’s when we run-ruled them, so it was great,” said Wesson sophomore shortstop Shelbi Maxwell. “Being a district game, we are very happy to have this win because it gets us closer to playoffs.”

Early in the game, Franklin County was very present at the plate with initial contact and avoiding strikeouts. Unfortunately for the Lady Bulldogs, Wesson came to play and was very present on the defensive side of the plate.  Franklin County hit the ball five times and received a groundout on every hit in the first three innings. 

Wesson went into the fifth inning with their eyes set on closing out early, having scored two runs early in the game and holding the Lady Bulldogs to zero. The Lady Cobras’ at-bats had a surge of good luck and accuracy, as they were able to dole out 10 runs at an almost back-to-back pace, securing the run rule and ending the game before even completing the fifth inning. 

“They did great job hitting; it just, unfortunately, was getting hit right to the defense, but, later in the game, they really took care of business,” said Wesson coach Michelle Nunnery. “Coming off Saturday, our batting game was much more present tonight. They didn’t give up, and it really came around later in the game.”

Lots of Lady Cobras got in on the big 10th-inning action.

Wesson’s Maxwell utilized a bunt to get on base and was also walked. Maxwell, sophomore first baseman Anna Claire Crow and senior left-fielder Amber Brinson each hit singles.

Sophomore second baseman Arie Douglas, sophomore third baseman Katie McSweyn, junior designated hitter Shaylin Green and sophomore right-fielder Natalie Bonds all hit two singles a piece. Sophomore catcher Catherine Wilson hit three singles. Crow and freshman Laynee Crapps hit doubles. Crapps also hit an out-of-the-park homerun to bring in three runs total.

Bonds, McSweyn, Maxwell and Douglas each gained an RBI, while Green and Crapps both added two RBIs. Maxwell, Green and McSweyn stole one base each, and Douglas stole two bases. Maxwell, Crow, Brinson, McSweyn, Green and Bonds scored one run. Wilson, Crapps and Douglas scored two runs. Crapps pitched all five innings and had five strikeouts.

“We didn’t hit the best we could, and we did not play to the best of our ability,” said Franklin County’s catcher, Sydney Scott.  “I’m going to take this as a learning experience and try harder next time.”

Franklin County coach Jerry Baldwin praised the Lady Cobras and called for more effort from his own squad.

“As for us, we need to start a little quicker and finish a little harder,” he said. “Wesson was able to hit the ball really well, where we weren’t as lucky.”

Franklin County’s left-fielder Chloe Clanton, shortstop Tabitha Thompson, and first baseman Marie Clanton all hit singles in the fourth inning but were all left on base. Pitcher Kaytlyn Smith pitched all five innings.

Wesson played at Tylertown Tuesday.

Franklin County will also play at Tylertown, April 5.

Story by Paden Phillips