By Ashley Crutcher
It was a day for shutouts as the South Panola fastpitch softball teams held the strike-out for cancer games Thursday night against Grenada as Batesville Junior High won 3-0, Junior varsity lost 5-0 and Varsity won 4-0. The Lady Tigers honored those who have bravely battled cancer as Tina Benson threw the first pitch.
Benson, a South Panola employee, is the honoree for this year as she was recently diagnosed with cancer.
SP Varsity 4, Grenada 0
The Lady Tigers held it down on defense as senior pitcher Caroline Dickins struck-out nine of the 25 batters faced. The first two innings remained scoreless as the Lady Tigers played a three up three down defense.
In the third inning, Rebekah Garner and Amber Helmes got on base with singles and scored on a double to left by Alli Cummins.
In the fourth, Sydney Morgan singled to left center and advanced to second as Morgan Parker singled. Garner doubled to left driving home Morgan for the only run of the inning.
Morgan got on base again in the sixth inning with another single to left and scored on a hit to right center by Maci Kirkland for the 4-0 win.
Sydney Morgan led at the plate going 3-for-3 with a triple.
Other hitters include Cummins, 2-for-3, one double, two RBIs (runs batted in); Garner, 2-for-3, one double; Parker, 2-for-3; and Helmes, 1-for-2.
At the end of the night the lights were shut off as the Lady Tigers filled the outfield holding pink lanterns. Fire-lit lanterns were released filling the sky with a dazzling incandescence as the names of loved ones who have gallantly faced cancer were called.
Grenada 5, SPJV 0
In Jr. Varsity action, the Lady Tigers were unable to produce any runs as they struggled at the plate and fell to Grenada 5-0.
Power plays on defense allowed the Lady Tigers to hold the Lady Chargers to five runs. With one run, a Lady Charger slammed the ball to right where Makayla Ales was ready as she scooped up the ball and threw home for the third out in the first inning, leaving two Lady Chargers on base.
The Lady Chargers scored another run in the second. The Lady Tigers continued to battle on defense as Darbi Smith threw out one and struck out another before Kaitlyn Tidwell threw for the out at third, leaving two runners on base.
In the final inning, the Lady Chargers managed to score three more runs.  
BJH 3, Grenada 0
In the first game of the day, the Jr. High Lady Tigers played a three up three down defense and took the shutout win over Grenada, 3-0.
Only one Grenada players got on base.
In bottom of the second inning, Avery Seay doubled to right and scored the first run of the game on a single by Sierra Mitchell.
A Bailey Russell double to center in bottom of the fourth, drove home Luana Dent who had singled. Mitchell drove in another run with a triple to right.
Mitchell led at the plate, going 2-for-2 with one triple and two RBI’s.
Other hitters include Molly Seay, 2-for-2; Bailey Russell, 1-for-2, one double, one RBI; Avery Seay, Rebekah Cook and Luana Dent, all 1-for-2.
The Lady Tigers will be home today to host Hernando in district action at 5 and 6 p.m. Seniors will be recognized. Thursday, the team travels to Tupelo for a district matchup at 5 and 6 p.m.
Saturday, South Panola will host Southaven at 12 and 1 p.m. in jr. varsity and varsity action.