Lady Tigers play No. 1 NW Rankin tight, lose 2-1

South Panola continued its dominance in Region 1-6A softball play last week, blanking Olive Branch 15-0 in three innings Thursday to remain undefeated in district at 6-0.

The Lady Tigers have out-scored their opponents 76-7 in district games this season.

South Panola traveled to Desoto Central for two games Saturday where they got revenge for one of their losses earlier in the season with a 11-6 victory over the Jaguars.

South Panola saw its 13-game winning streak halted in a thrilling 2-1 loss to undefeated and No.4 nationally ranked Northwest Rankin.

SP 15
OB 0

(3 innings)
 

The Lady Tigers made quick work of Olive Branch with nine runs in the second and five in the third. Hailey Heafner drove in four runs while Grady Beck Wilson added two singles and a pair of RBI’s.

Kailey McKinney continued to swing a hot stick with a single, triple and three runs scored. Addison Sanders doubled and scored two runs. Makenzie Houston, Nia Fondren and Sadie Bright all singled.

Carrie Anna Davis scored three runs in a pinch-running role with Georgia Phillips, Hannah Roberson, KK Hubbard and Chaney Beth Hannaford each scored a run.

Wilson earned the pitching win by fanning two batters on one hit over two innings. Bright struck out the side in the third.

SP 11

DC 6

South Panola broke open a 5-5 game in the fourth with six runs over the next three innings. Fondren powered the Tiger offense with a season-high five RBI’s on a single and home run. Kaleigh Cobb drove in a run with three singles.

Hubbard provided two singles and three runs scored while Wilson and Mckinney singled. Houston also contributed with a RBI. Wilson fired a complete game with four walks and three strikeouts.

NW Rankin 2

SP 1

In a rematch of last year’s 6A State championship series, the Tigers gave the 20-0 Cougars everything they wanted and then some as Northwest Rankin plated its runs in the top of the first before being shut down by South Panola pitcher Sadie Bright, who gave up four hits over seven innings.

The Tigers scratched across a run in the bottom of the seventh on a double by Wilson to drive in Hannaford. South Panola had the tying run in scoring position but could not get the run home.

South Panola also collected four hits as Sanders, Heafner and Houston had singles. Bright issued one walk and stuck out six.

The Lady Tigers began a busy week Tuesday (unless rained out)  at home against Lake Cormorant,  before hosting Center Hill Thursday followed by visiting Grenada Friday to close out district play.