The Lady Panthers went into Thursday night’s game against North Pike needing to win by more than three points to take district. Both teams battled it out for seven innings with the Lady Jaguars of North Pike coming out on top, taking a close 6-5 win.

Despite the Lady Jaguars getting on base in the first, the Lady Panthers defense stranded the runner, getting the next three batters out.

Kat Wallace led off for the Lady Panthers with a double. Rileigh Allen brought her in on a RBI sacrifice fly. With two outs, the Lady Panthers scored one more run off of a homerun hit by Kyla Henderson, taking a 2-0 lead.

The Lady Panthers held onto the lead until the third inning. North Pike scored three runs in the top of the third. With two outs, the Lady Jaguars loaded the bases and brought in one run on another walk. The Lady Jaguars took the lead on a two-run RBI single before Brookhaven was able to get the final out.

The Lady Panthers got one of those runs back in their half of the third on a RBI single by Henderson. BHS threatened to score more, loading the bases, but the Lady Jaguars were able to get out of the inning without giving up another run.

The Lady Jaguars added to their lead in the top of the fourth, scoring two runs off of two RBI singles. The Lady Panthers scored one run in the fourth off of a RBI single by Madi Miller. The Lady Jaguars scored the final run of the game in the fifth on a RBI triple, taking a close game by a final score of 6-5.

“I’m proud of the way our girls battled tonight and didn’t give up,” said Lady Panthers coach Mandy Vinson. “The game didn’t fall our way tonight, but I can’t take away their effort. The girls played their hearts out.”

Brookhaven will be in action Saturday as they take part in the Lawrence County softball tournament, for two games. The first game for the Lady Panthers will be against Franklin County at 9 a.m., followed by a noon game against Warren Central.

Story by Dave Linton