Editor’s Note: In Monday’s game, South Panola lost to Madison Central in another shutout 3-0. The Lady Tigers ended their season 22-10.

By Angie Ledbetter

The fastpitch softball north state playoff game between No. 1 Madison Central and No. 12 South Panola (22-9) was scoreless going into the top of the fifth and ended with Madison on top, 2-0.

The game went sour real quick for the Lady Tigers as errors allowed Madison Central an unearned run. Later in the inning, Madison Central (26-3) scored on a double for the only two runs of the game.

The two best strike out pitchers in the state were on the mound with senior Kelly Young, an Arkansas signee, topping the leader board with 305 and freshman Nicole Fullilove with 224. Young pitched a no hitter after facing 24 batters, striking out 17 and allowing three walks. With Fullilove faced 32 batters, striking out six, allowing two runs on six hits.

South Panola was credited with three errors.

The Lady Jaguars had nine hits, left 10 on base, one error and one earned run.

Head Coach Ashleigh Hicks said offensively the team did nothing they talked about doing.

“No part of our at bats did they try to lay a bunt down the way they’ve been taught to. They bunt more than anybody and got out here and couldn’t lay one down.

“When we missed spots, they tee off but when their pitcher missed spots we sat there and watched them go past us,” Hicks continued. “That day was an off game for her and she missed a lot of spots so it was our opportunity.”

Games two and three were scheduled for Saturday at Madison Central but were postponed until yesterday due to rain storms. The score was not available at press time.

The winner of this series will advance to the state championship at Freedom Ridge Park in Ridgeland on May 18 and 19 to take on south winner Harrison Central.