By Angie Ledbetter
The South Panola Lady Tiger’s slowpitch softball team won both of their scheduled games in the J. Z. George Tournament in Carrolton Saturday.

The Lady Tigers went up against two unfamiliar teams. South Panola defeated Kosciusko 14-5 in the first game and Yazoo City 11-1 in the second game.

According to Head Coach Kim Wilson everything went great.

“Our disadvantage was going into the whole day not knowing about either team,” she said. “We’ve never played either one of them. You always keep up with everyone’s history a little bit so it was well known that Kosciusko made the playoffs and I think they made it into the second round at least last year. I think they lost six seniors also and in the same situation as us with breaking in a lot of new players. We jumped right on them and our bats starting working about the second inning and we never stopped.”

Wilson had some surprises as far as players.

“Destine Brandon took the very first ball thrown to her and hit it so deep to left center field that it bounced a couple of times and hit the fence. I knew she had a ton of power from last year but she really stepped up letting it all rip really quickly. I think she went three for four and had multiple RBIs,” Wilson said.

“Haley Reid, who is an eight grader, had done really well the last week in batting practice and stood out in the games. She was the designated hitter in both games because the intentions were to rotate her in and out of the games letting her play a little infield and outfield,” Wilson continued.

She said Reid’s size was deceiving.

“She was tough as nails and she’s so little that it created a major deception. I know of least four hits she got in both games and out ran another one. She didn’t get to play any defense at all.”

Christa Brown pitched both games and did an excellent job, according to Wilson. She only allowed two walks in both games combined.

As far as both games, Wilson said the girls were hitting the ball and it was not just a fluke.

“We were hitting the ball very well for a jamboree type tournament or classic,”she said.

The play of the girls in the jamboree has Wilson excited about the rest of the season.

“If Saturday is an indication of what’s to come then I’m just fired up about it,” said Wilson.

Wilson said, “It was a fun day and it always helps when you win. Everybody was excited to play and very fired up.”

South Panola will hostStrayhorn today in its home opener at 4 p.m.