Lady Tigers came up inches short in loss to Tupelo

By Ashley Crutcher
South Panola slowpitch softball team played a close match at home Thursday night against the Tupelo Golden Waves.
The Lady Tigers were only inches a way from victory, but ultimately fell 9-8 in the last seconds.
Tupelo came out strong and scored a run in the first inning. South Panola answered as Chloe Morgan rounded the bases with a home run hit over the fence.
Neither team scored in the second, but Tupelo picked back up in the third, scoring another run as a Lady Golden Wave hit a solo homerun.
In the bottom of the third, the Lady Tigers scored three runs. Chloe Morgan and Jannaria Sanford got on base with singles. Morgan Parker drove Chloe Morgan home with double to left.
A bases clearing double by Caitlyn Seay drove Sanford and Parker home for the Lady Tiger 4-2 lead.
Tupelo scored again in the top of the fourth and held the Lady Tigers to a one-point lead 4-3.
In the fifth, Tupelo scored on a two-run homer to take the lead, 5-4, from the Lady Tigers.
South Panola was able to tie the score at five with a run of their own, as Chloe Morgan scored on an RBI double by Kahlena Hentz.
Tupelo started the seventh with strong hits to get runners on base. With another two-run homer Tupelo led 7-5.
A walk and a double for Tupelo allowed two more runners to cross the plate giving the Golden Waves a four run, 9-5, lead.
Three singles by Sydney Morgan, Chloe Morgan and Hentz loaded the bases.
Another single by Parker drove home Sydney Morgan. Seay was next up to bat and managed to drive home Chloe Morgan and Hentz to cut the lead 9-8.
The Lady Tigers were down by one run and needed two runs for the win. Senior Power hitter Tia Townsend was next up to bat. After a 2-1 count Townsend found her pitch and sent the ball flying deep into center field.
The crowd went silent for a moment as if holding their breath in hopes the ball was gone. Townsend’s hit came crashing down into the glove of a Tupelo player, just inches away from being over the fence.
With the catch came the third out and end of a close game between South Panola and Tupelo, with Tupelo taking the win 9-8.
After the game, seven seniors were honored as this game marked the final home game for the slowpitch softball players.
Seniors Morgan Parker, Sydney Morgan, Lee Todd Ware, Tra’Meisha Toliver, Madison Morgan, Tia Townsend and Caitlyn Seay were honored with roses.
Each senior was allowed to express her love for the game, her teammates and coaches Kim Wilson and Sam Blaine.
With tear filled eyes, the players smiled and posed for pictures knowing this was the last time they would play on this field in a slowpitch game.
The Lady Tigers will travel to face Tupelo again Thursday at 5:30 p.m.