Lady Tigers scrape by Strayhorn 7-6

By Ashley Crutcher
The South Panola slowpitch softball team barely escaped with the win Tuesday afternoon at home with a win of 7-6 over Strayhorn.
Strayhorn managed three runs in the first inning, but were soon shut down by the Lady Tigers leaving three Strayhorn runners on base,
South Panola took the lead 4-3 during their first bat. A homerun by Chloe Morgan drove in Sydney Morgan who reached first on an error by Strayhorn. Janarria Sanford got on base with a single followed by a double by Morgan Parker. Sanford and Parker scored on hits from Kahlena Hentz and Lee Todd Ware.
The second inning remained scoreless as Strayhorn left a runner on first. Sydney Morgan reached first on a single and was driven to third on a double by Madison Morgan. The runners were left on base as Strayhorn held the Lady Tigers to their single point lead.
Strayhorn managed to load the bases in the third, but a strong defense from the Lady Tigers prevented them from scoring anymore runs. In return, Strayhorn buckled down with a three up three down defense against the Lady Tigers.
Scoring began again in the top of the fourth as two Stayhorn runners reached first on a walk and scored on a single. The Lady Tigers came back with a vengence and scored three runs in the fourth, once again snatching the lead from Strayhorn. Caitllin Tidwell and Tra’Meisha Toliver made their way on base with a single and a walk. Tia Townsend made her way to the plate and found her pitch, driving the ball clean over the fence at left center.  The fifth and sixth innings remained scoreless, as Strayhorn had one more chance in the top of the seventh to claim the win. Strayhorn managed to get a runner on base and with a strong hit to center the runner rounded the bases heading for the plate. Sydney Morgan shot the ball from center to the plate but was a millisecond too late as the Stayhorn runner was called safe.
Strayhorn needed two more runs for the win with two runners on first and second. Strayhorn batter hit to shortstop Sydney Morgan who tossed the ball to Toliver at second for the out and win over Stayhorn 7-6.
The Lady Tigers will face Saltillo Monday afternoon at 5p.m. in the district match-up.