By Angie Ledbetter

Bad weather came through Clinton Friday night causing Traceway Park to close and their tournament to be moved to Clinton High School on Saturday. It turned out to be a great day for the South Panola Lady Tigers varsity fastpitch softball team (5-1) as they won both games.

“We played really well,” said head coach Ashleigh Hicks. “The girls really stepped it up. Nicole Fullilove is pitching very well and the defense is playing behind her and scoring runs. We want to keep getting better and better each time we cross the lines to play.”

In the first game the Lady Tigers had no problem defeating the Kosciusko Lady Whippets 10-1. Scoring runs in the top of the first were Christa Brown, Caroline Dickins, Amanda Ivy, Lauren Calvert and Lindsey Calvert.

The Lady Whippets scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the third when right fielder Amber Seatrain drew a walk and made her way to home plate.

The Lady Tigers scored five more in the top of the fourth with runs by Brown, Ivy, Meri Morgan Fortune, Lauren Calvert and Lindsey Calvert.

Fullilove faced 15 batters allowing one walk, one earned run and committing one error.

The Lady Tigers finished the game with 10 runs, seven hits, four strike-outs and left four on base.

The difference between the two games was pitching, according to Hicks.

For the first time since Hicks has been at South Panola, the Lady Tigers downed the Desoto Central Lady Jaguars 4-1 in the second game.

“It was a big accomplishment for our kids because Desoto Central is a very respectable program.”
Fullilove pitched a no-hitter against Desoto Central. She struck out five, allowed one walk and no earned runs.

In the bottom of the first, Ivy drew a walk and advanced to second and third on steals. Fortune singled driving Ivy home.

In the bottom of the third Dickins single and Ivy bunted. Fortune hit an RBI double scoring Dickins and Ivy. While Lauren Calvert was at-bat Fortune made her way to third. Calvert got on first by an error and Fortune scored for the last run of the game for the Lady Tigers.

The Lady Jaguars scored one run in the top of the third when designated hitter E. Grem got hit by a pitch and scored.

Fortune led at the plate with a single, double and three RBIs. Hitting singles were Dickens, Ivy, and Marla Rudd.

The Tigers had six hits, two errors and left seven on base.

The Tigers had six hits, two errors and left seven on base. Scoring for South Panola were Caroline Dickins, Fortune and Ivy, two runs.

The Lady Tigers will travel to Desoto Central today in regular season, non-conference action beginning with the junior varsity game at 5 p.m. Thursday, South Panola will host non-conference foe Southaven beginning at 5 p.m.