WESSON – Strong pitching and spectacular defense led the East Central Lady Warriors to a sweep of the Copiah-Lincoln Lady Wolves, 8-0 and 7-2, in Wesson on Wednesday.

East Central 8, Co-Lin 0 

Only trailing 2-0, the Lady Wolves (13-10, 5-5) kept the game close until East Central (22-6, 6-4) exploded for six runs in the top of the seventh. Co-Lin would only be able to muster four hits in the game one loss. Savannah Johnston, Brooke Laigast, Breanna McKenzie and Hannah Roberts all had singles for the Lady Wolves.

East Central pitcher Kendra Wilson went seven innings and struck out five to pick up the win. Brooke Gonzales took the loss for Co-Lin after giving up 13 hits and striking out three. It was the first home loss of the season for Gonzales (9-3).

East Central first baseman Ty Buckley powered their offense with two home runs and five RBI’s.

Lady Wolves head coach Allen Kent was disappointed with the showing from his team. “We just couldn’t get much going today offensively,” said Kent. “We’ve got to play better because I know we’re a better team than what we showed today.”

East Central 7, Co-Lin 2 

Game two wouldn’t be much better for the Lady Wolves as they were out hit 9-3 and committed five errors.

Adrienne Wallace and Missy Romero each had a single for Co-Lin. Kayla Craft, with a double, had the only other Co-Lin hit. Craft’s double scored Hannah Roberts to get the Lady Wolves on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth. The next batter, Wallace, would then score Missy Romero with her RBI single.

Rheagan Welch took the loss after giving up six hits and three earned runs in 3.2 innings of work. Payton Sheffield came on in relief and gave up three hits and struck out three in 3.1 innings. Makayla Kelly earned the win for East Central.

“I thought we hit the ball hard, but we hit too many right at them,” said Kent. “We didn’t help ourselves defensively and we stayed behind them in the count a good bit from a pitching standpoint.”

The Lady Wolves return to action on Saturday, March 22 when they travel to Pearl River for a divisional doubleheader beginning at noon.