By Myra Bean and Angie Ledbetter

A seven-inning softball game stretched to nine innings before the South Panola Lady Tigers scored to end the contest.

Independence held a lead 2-0 going into the bottom of the third inning, but the Lady Tigers answered in the form of senior Raquel Burdette with her first run in the bottom of the third.

It was on from there.

Lady Tiger senior Jennifer Newcomb tied the score at two in the bottom of the fourth inning.

There was no more scoring until the ninth inning. All time limits were thrown out the window with this tight contest.

After Independence scored a run in the top of the ninth inning, South Panola got another chance at their final chance.

The Lady Tigers delivered.

Paige Jordan walked to get on base and advanced to second on a Burdette single. Meri Morgan Fortune loaded the bases on a walk.

Chelsea Austin hit a single RBI to drive home Jordan to tie the game at three.

Hancock’s single drove home Burdette for the RBI and winning run.

Burdette said she saw the win coming as she was standing on third base.

“I needed to score this run and the person up to bat needed to hit the ball,” Burdette said.

The Lady Tigers will take a week off and host Cleveland Monday, September 8 at 4 p.m.