SP Lady Tigers down Byhalia 16-3

By Myra Bean

The South Panola Lady Tigers opened the 2007 season with a decisive 16-3 win over the Byhalia Lady Indians Tuesday afternoon.

With five returners from last year and a slate of talent from the 2007 state championship fastpitch team, the slowpitch Lady Tigers dominated from the first pitch.

Senior Sabrina Townsend pitched the complete game in five innings striking out five of 22 batters, allowing one walk and three hits.

To start off the bottom of the first, Casi Brooks singled to left field to drive home Haley Hood who had doubled as the leadoff batter to get on base.

Townsend’s single drove home Stormie Robinson, a transfer from Lafayette County, who had singled to get on base.

The Lady Tigers had loaded the bases and Townsend scored on a walk by Latara Ferrell who had walked to get on base for the 3-0 lead.

The lead was extended with three runs in the second inning. With the bases loaded, Brooks doubled and Hood, Robinson and Haylei Plummer scored.

The third inning was signature for the Lady Tigers as they scored seven runs.

Ferrell scored when Robinson walked. Then Plummer hit a three-RBI (runs batted in) double to drive home Sally Burdette, Madison Taylor, who was running for Chelsea Austin, and Robinson.

Townsend cleared the bases with a two-run inside the park homer, driving home Brooks who had doubled.

The last three runs came in the fourth inning. Hood doubled and drove home Ferrell and Taylor. Then Plummer doubled and drove home Hood for the final run.

Getting hits for the Lady Tigers were Hood, three for four with two doubles, two RBIs; Robinson, three for four with two singles; Plummer, three for four with two doubles, one RBI; Brooks, three for four with two doubles, one single, four RBIs; Townsend, two for three with one homerun, one single, three RBIs; Kasey Kelsay, two for three, one single; Meredith Roberson, one for three, one single; Ferrell, three for three, three walks, one RBI; Burdette, one for three, one single; and Austin, two for three, two singles.

The Lady Tigers will play in the Grenada Tournament Saturday at 9 a.m., 12:20 p.m. and 3:40 p.m.