WESSON — Emily Horne struck out 9 batters in pitching theCo-Lin Lady Wolves to a 1-0 shutout of East Central CommunityCollege’s Lady Warriors. She did not issue a walk in the 4-hitmound performance.

In the nightcap, East Central escaped with a 3-2 fastpitchsoftball victory over Co-Lin.

“Emily Horne threw a gem of a game,” said Co-Lin coach AllenKent. “She really had it working today. We just need to give hermore run support.

“It was a hard-fought defensive game,” Kent added. “We failed toget a bunt down several times to advance runners.”

Co-Lin 1, East Central 0

Co-Lin was locked in a scoreless duel until the sixth whenfreshman rightfielder Erin Douglas hit a double to left-centerfield. Lauren Smith advanced pinch-runner Candace Braxton to thirdbase on a fielder’s choice.

Designated player Allison Wallace smacked a 2-out, RBI single toright-center for the game’s only run.

East Central 3, Co-Lin 2

The Lady Warriors scored twice in the first inning off a walkand a 2-run homer by Erica Hardin. Co-Lin replied in the secondwith 2 runs as Lauren Smith singled, Kaylin Burke advanced her ongrounder and Braxton reached on an error.

East Central plated the winning run in the sixth. Erin Douglassabsorbed the loss, giving up 3 earned runs on 9 hits, walking 3 andfanning 1.

Douglas, Smith and Beeson each had 2 hits for Co-Lin. Batemanand Burke hit safely.

“East Central has a very good bunch of girls, and the start allsophomores,” said Coach Kent. “They are patient at the plate andsteady defensively. They should win their Central Division againthis year.

“We need to become more selective at the plate,” he added. “Weare swinging at too many pitches outside the strike zone. We madetheir pitchers look better than they actually are.”

Kent said he was pleased with the progress of Beeson and Burkewho are coming off injuries sustained during fall practice. Theysustained shoulder and elbow injuries.

“Second baseman Jackie Stowe is nearly recovered from a tornknee ligament,” said Kent. “Shortstop Kady King is nursing a deepbruise in her throwing hand.

“We should continue to improve, once everyone is completelyhealthy.”