MONTICELLO – Lawrence County made their 2007 slowpitch softballdebut Thursday night. It would be the Petal Lady Panthers who wouldspoil the home opener; pounding out 15 hits for a 12-1 win over theLady Cougars.

Lawrence County travels to Wesson Monday for a varsitydoubleheader, beginning at 5 p.m.

Petal 12, Lawrence Co. 1

Both teams combined for 24 hits. Defensive plays were alsoroutine. Lawrence County, despite having 5 runners in scoringposition, was unable to score runs.

“We always schedule Petal for the first game,” said second-yearhead coach Jill Haney. “It is a non-division game and it helps usget ready for the season. We have to score with runners onbase.”

The Lady Panthers (4-0) opened with a 3-0 lead in their half ofthe first. Leadoff batter Nerissa Myers singled. Kayla Saucierreached on a fielder’s choice. Heather Diehl reached on an fieldingerror to load the bases. Marisa Redmond’s sacrifice fly tocenterfield scored Myers. Morgan Stewart singled to score Saucier.Carey Lee’s single scored Diehl.

Lawrence Co. (0-1) plated its lone run in the second. ShelbyMitchell singled. Dee Dee Walker grounded into a fielder’s choice,forcing Mitchell out at second. Natalie Harrington and Sage Mabileeach singled to load the bases. Tyra Griffin would single homeWalker.

Petal, coached by Karen Arnold, would score twice in the fourth,4 runs in the fifth and 3 in the seventh to remain unbeaten in 4games.

Harrington singled twice to pace the Lady Cougars. Alsocollecting hits were Shaina Starks, Alexandria Harris, BridgeeWilliams and Kristen Sauls. Williams suffered the loss.

The Lady Panthers got a single, a double, a triple, 2 runsscored and 3 RBIs from Krystal Beesley. Stewart singled twice andhad 3 RBIs.