By Angie Ledbetter

The record between the South Panola Lady Tiger’s fastpitch team (3-0) and the Desoto Central team has been in favor of the Lady Jaguars for several years but that changed Tuesday in a four-inning game in the Clinton tournament and continued as the Lady Tigers downed the Lady Jaguars 2-0 in a seven-inning game.

Beating the Desoto Central Jaguars was a huge deal but beating them on their home field was even bigger, according to head coach Ashleigh Hicks.

“The game was a huge accomplishment for the team,” said Hicks. “They stepped up to the plate by winning this game at Desoto Central. We just need to keep working and playing as a team.”

It was a scoreless defensive battle until the top of the fifth.

Pitcher Nicole Fullilove scored the first run with one out on the board. With one strike, Fullilove slammed a single to right getting on base. The next batter struck out giving the Lady Tigers two. On a 1-2 count, right fielder Marla Rudd hit a double to left center driving home Fullilove. Rudd attempted third but picked up the third out when Lady Jaguar’s left fielder threw her out at third.

Lead off batter Christa Brown got on base on an error by Jaguar’s second baseman B. Ballard in top of the sixth.  Shortstop Caroline Dickins popped up to third picking up the first out in top of the frame. On a 1-1 count, catcher Amanda Ivy flied out to left fielder A. Rice for second out.

While third baseman Meri Morgan was at bat Brown stole second. With a 3-1 count, Fortune hit a single to center sending Brown to home plate for the last run of the game.

The next two batters picked up two outs leaving Brown stranded on base. With Fortune at the plate with a 3-1 count, she hit a single to center sending Brown home for the last score of the game.

The Lady Tigers finished the game with six hits, one error, five left on base and one earned run.

Getting hits were Fortune, two, Brown, Fullilove, Rudd and Crystal Contreras one each.

Picking up the win was Fullilove with six strike outs, three base on balls, five hits and one error.

The Lady Jaguars recorded five hits, two errors and left 12 left on base. Pitcher Lydia Lias threw 27 balls and 58 pitches for a total of 85. She had seven strike outs, one base on balls, six hits and one earned run.

Yesterday’s game with Southaven was postponed until April 7. Next week they travel to Horn Lake for a varsity double header on Thursday.

The Lady Tiger’s junior varsity fastpitch team has won two of their three last games.

They hosted Lafayette on March 6 for a double header shutting them out 7-0 in the first game and 9-0 in the second.

On Tuesday they lost to Desoto Central 2-1.