SUMMIT — The Brookhaven softball team was eliminated fromplayoff contention last Tuesday, by their long-time Division 6-4Arival Lawrence County. With a pair of games left in their regularseason, Ole Brook’s Lady Panthers wanted to go out with a bang.

Heading into the top of the seventh tied at 4-4, the LadyPanthers scored 3 runs. They held North Pike in the bottom of theinning to foster a hard-fought 7-4 win over the Lady JaguarsTuesday.

It was Senior Night at North Pike, as elders Leonna Ballard,Katherine West and statistician Mary Jane Lambert were honored inpregame ceremonies.

Ole Brook pitcher Brianna Ashmore would author the win for headcoach Lisa Covington. Hallie Sasser suffered the loss for the LadyJags.

Brookhaven defeated North Pike 7-3 in the JV game.

Brookhaven concluded its season Thursday at Warren Central.North Pike travels to Lawrence County Thursday.

The Lady Jags, winners of 11 consecutive Division 7-3Achampionships, begin play in the first round of the South 3Aplayoffs Oct. 10. They will host the Hazlehurst Lady Indians in abest-of-3 series.

Brookhaven 7, North Pike 4

“We were playing for pride tonight,” Coach Covington said. “Weplayed well and got some clutch hits, too.”

Ole Brook (19-8) took an early 2-0 in its half of the first.Terri Hodges, Katie Stewart and Christi Martin each doubled.Martin’s 2-bagger scored Hodges and Stewart.

North Pike (20-6), coached by Sonya Wallace, cut its deficit to3 runs, at 2-1 in the second. Catcher Lindsey Moak singled. Threebatters later, Kari Bessonette’s single scored Moak.

The Lady Panthers extended their advantage to 4-1 in the third.With 1 out, the Lady Jags issued consecutive walks to Hodges andStewart. Martin reached on a fielder’s choice, loading the bases.Stevie Wright’s singled played Hodges. Brianna Ashmore singled toscore Stewart.

The Lady Jags scored a run in the fourth and 2 in the fifth, torealize a 4-4 deadlock. Bessonette doubled and later scored on asacrifice fly by Hannah Roberts in the fourth. Moak and MaggieDunaway scored in the fifth on a fielding error by Ole Brook.

“Brookhaven came ready to play tonight, and we did not,” saidCoach Wallace. “Brookhaven hit the ball well, and played gooddefense. They wanted it more than we did.”

In the top of the seventh, Georgia Rae Rainer singled. JordanBeeson’s groundout moved Rainer to second. Hannah Lowman singled.Hodges’ triple scored both runners. Stewart’s single brought homethe final run of the night.

Wright paced the Brookhaven offensive with 3 singles. Hodgesdoubled, tripled and scored 2 runs. Stewart scored twice.

In the JV game, Brooke Hosick picked up the winfor Brookhaven. Doubles were hit by Satasha Graham (2) and JodieWooley. Run support came from Graham, Hossick, Kelsey Freeman (2),Madeline Delaughter, Erica Bridwell and Brittany Bateman.

Charneissia Gordon took the loss for North Pike. Hitting safelywere Gordon, Victoria Etheridge, Brianna Brister and LindseyJohnson.

Crossing home plate for the Jags were Etheridge, Marissa Jenkinsand Kelsey Lord.