The Brookhaven Academy Lady Cougars kept their undefeated record intact Monday night with a 2-1 win over the Copiah Academy Lady Colonels.

The Lady Cougars broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning when Morgan Smith nailed a two-run RBI single into the outfield. Copiah scored its only run in the sixth off a RBI single from Kelley Bailey.

It was a pitcher’s duel before that.

“My defense played very well behind me,”  Lady Cougars pitcher Madi Smith said. “I left a few pitches up the middle of the plate, but my defense backed me up. Hitting is contagious and we got timely hits when we needed them.”

After retiring three of the first four batters, the Lady Cougars got back-to-back singles by Madison Moak and Abby Richardson in the first. The Lady Colonels kept Brookhaven Academy from scoring however, getting the next three batters out.

The Lady Cougars had a runner in scoring position after Madi Smith knocked a double into left field in the second. But Copiah Academy once again refused to allow the Lady Cougars to score.

The Lady Colonels played solid defense in the third inning, getting out of the frame with a double play and a flyout to center.

The Lady Cougars threatened to score in their half of the fourth, when Morgan Smith led off with a double, but Copiah denied BA again. 

Brookhaven Academy broke the scoreless tie in their half of the fifth inning. Moak got the inning started with a leadoff triple. With the bases loaded and one out, Smith nailed a two-run RBI single.

Copiah Academy scored its only run in the sixth inning.

The Lady Colonels loaded the bases in the seventh inning with two outs, but BA closed out the 2-1 win.

“When you’re undefeated, it’s really hard to play with intensity with the target on your back,” Lady Cougars coach Becky Flowers said. “I was pleased with the girls, because in the past we would’ve found a way to lose the close game. We bowed up and Madi Smith was able to pitch us out of the game and our defense came up with some big plays.  I couldn’t be prouder of the team.  It wasn’t a pretty win, but a win is a win.”

Smith pitched the entire game for the Lady Cougars, going seven innings while giving up one run on five hits and striking out six.

Brandi Redus took the loss on the rubber for the Lady Colonels, going six innings while giving up two runs on nine hits and striking out one batter.

The Lady Cougars were led by Moak, who was a perfect 4-4 at the plate with a triple, double and two singles. Morgan Smith had a double and a single. Madi Smith hit a single. Abby Richardson and Jana Case each had a single.

Story by Dave Linton