Young SP ladies dominate Hernando

By Angie Ledbetter

The South Panola Lady Tiger fastpitch softball team kicked off the 2010 season in the Grenada tournament on Saturday.

The Lady Tigers opened the season with a 6-2 win over the Hernando Lady Tigers with only two returning starters on defense.

According to Lady Tigers head coach Ashleigh Hicks, this win was the beginning of a great season.

“This first win showed them what they can do exactly, what we’ve been preaching to them. They can win, play and do little stuff to big stuff no matter how old they are.”

Lead off batter second baseman Chelsea Allen started the Lady Tigers with a base hit. Shortstop Amanda Ivy followed with a single advancing Allen to second. First baseman Lauren Calvert laid a sacrifice bunt down to send Allen to third and Ivy to second. Meri Morgan Fortune grounded out to second, driving Allen home on a fielder’s choice.

On the mound for the Lady Tigers was starting pitcher, eighth grader Diamond Browning. Hernando shortstop Catherine Carver drew a leadoff walk to start the bottom of the frame followed by a single from right fielder Taylor Bray. Carver scored the only run by Hernando to tie the game at one.

The only run scored in the second inning was by Browning to put the Lady Tigers up 2-1. Browning’s 55 mph speed sent the Hernando batters back to the bench scoreless.

In the top of the third, Calvert singleg then Fortune doubled to centerfield advancing Calvert to third. Alford grounded out to second to score Calvert for the 3-1 lead.

In the bottom of the third, seventh grader pitcher Nicole Fullilove took the ball, throwing 56 mph fast balls.

Jordan and Ivy drew walks off of Hernando’s pitcher in the fourth. After stealing bases, Jordan put the Lady Tigers up 4-1. Ivy stole her way around the bags and home to go ahead 5-1.

After two hits and a walk, Hernando added a run to cut the lead 5-2.

South Panola scored in the top of the fifth when Meredith Roberson was hit by a pitch, then worked her way around the diamond and scored on a stolen base.

Hernando’s leadoff batter singled to start the bottom of the fifth. The second batter popped up to right field for the first out then zipped the ball to Ivy at second. The lead off runnertried to return to first, but Ivy got the ball to Calvert to turning it into a  double play.

The Lady Tigers had eight hits, six runs, one error and one strike out.

Hernando had three hits, two runs, one error and two strike outs.

“The girls performed very well and I really didn’t see those first game jitters,” Hicks said. “I’m very proud of our hitting and pitchers. The defense did an excellent job. I’m very pleased.”

Hicks changed out her two junior high pitchers, not because they did anything wrong but for a change, she said.

“They did an excellent job hitting spots and coming through when we needed the pitch,” Hicks said.

The Mississippi High School Athletic Association changed the pitching distance from 40 to 43 feet to prepare the kids for collegiate and international games. Schools had the option of changing it this year or next year. Hicks changed hers this year. “I like the new distance because we will see more hitting as a whole and also will help get the pitchers ready for college.”

The Lady Tigers will be back in action tonight at home when they take on Lewisburg with the JV game at 5 and varsity 6 p.m.

Booster Club

The South Panola fastpitch booster club will meet Tuesday after the varsity game.