By Ashley Crutcher
The No. 4 state ranked South Panola fastpitch softball team traveled to Tupelo Thursday afternoon where the Lady Tigers defeated the Lady Golden Waves 7-3. The junior varsity lost 4-2.
The Lady Tigers (18-3 overall, 5-0 district) came out swinging on offense, batting through the line-up and scoring four runs. Chloe Morgan started the offense with a double passed third, followed by a walk by Mallory Myers. Caroline Dickins loaded the bases as lady Golden Waves shortstop dropped the pop fly. Ali Cummins hit to the mound and allowed an out at home. Morgan Parker walked driving in Myers. Sydney Morgan and Rebekah Garner got on base after being hit by a pitch, allowing Dickins and Cummins to score. Parker scored on a walk by Amber Helmes.
In the bottom of the first, the Lady Tigers played a three-up, three down defense as Chloe Morgan jumped back to make the catch at center. Dickins struck out the second batter and Parker threw out to Cummins at first.
The Lady Tigers held Tupelo to no runs in the bottom of the second as Myers threw home stopping the run and Dickins struck-out two batters the second and third out.
In the top of the third, Helmes made it to first after being hit by a pitch and scored on a single to right center by Chloe Morgan. A single to left by Myers and a walk by Dickins loaded the bases. Chloe Morgan scored an a  Lady Golden Waves’ error on a dropped a pop fly by Cummins.
The Lady Tigers were halted in the fourth and fifth innings as the Lady Golden Waves played three up three down defense. The Lady Waves scored their first run in the sixth inning on a double and a single.
In the seventh inning, Helmes reached first on a single to shortstop and scored the final run for the Lady Tigers on a double to left by Myers. The Lady Waves managed to score two runs in the final inning on two back to back doubles to center and a single to center.
The Lady Tigers crushed the Tupelo Golden Waves 7-3.
SP JV 2, Tupelo 4
The Lady Tigers battled against the Lady Golden Waves as neither team allowed any runs in the first inning.
In the second inning, the Lady Tigers were determined to score runs as Haven Dulin doubled to right, scoring on a single by Kahlena Hentz. Tyler Hamby walked followed by a double to right by Maci Kirkland, driving home Hentz.
The Lady Tigers played a three up three down defense, but were unable to score any runs in the top of the third.
In the bottom of the third, Darbi Smith relieved Kirkland on the mound. A single and two walks loaded the bases. A double to center allowed the Lady Waves to score their first two runs of the game. Two sacrifice plays allowed two Lady Waves to score two more runs. The game was called as time ran out leaving the final score at 4-2 in favor of the Lady Waves.
The Lady Tigers will travel to Hernando this afternoon to face the Hernando Lady Tigers in their final district game at 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.