The Brookhaven Lady Panthers are still seeking their first victory of the season as they lost a nail-biter to the Franklin County Lady Bulldogs 8-7 Tuesday night in softball action at Ole Brook softball complex. In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Lady Panthers scratched and clawed back into the contest. They pushed four runs home before Franklin County got the final out. Brookhaven left two runners on base.

     “I’m really proud of the girls,” said FC coach Dana Smith. “They stepped up and played hard. Brookhaven is tough defensively. It is always a good game when we play them.”

     Brookhaven (0-3) will resume action Thursday as they prepare to invade Wesson to battle the Lady Cobras. Junior varsity begins at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity game at 6.

     Franklin County (2-1) will be in action Thursday. They visit Monticello to face the Lawrence County Lady Cougars. Junior varsity begins at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity game at 6.

FC 8, BHS 7

     Brookhaven softball fans gathered to witness  their Lady Panthers’ home opener. Ole Brook captured a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

     Franklin County bounced back and tied the game at 2-all in the top of the third before the Lady Panthers managed to regain the lead at 3-2 in the bottom of the third inning.

     In the fifth inning, the Lady Bulldogs capitalized on Brookhaven’s miscues and walks to take a 7-3 lead and added another run in the seventh for 8-3 advantage.

     Shelly Case was the winning pitcher for the Lady Bulldogs with two strikeouts and no walks. Sierra Bethley (0K, 0BB) got the save.

     Alyson Speaks suffered the setback for the Lady Panthers with one strikeout and six walks. Katie Grace Culpepper (1K, 0BB) pitched in relief.

     At the plate, Nuda Starks directed Franklin County’s offense with three singles. LayLay Griffin contributed a double and a single. Alyssa Case, Macy Brabham, Si’Edriq Middleton and Bethley provided two singles apiece. Hitting safely were Hayle McKinney and Shelby Smith.

     “We waited too late to start performing,” said Ole Brook coach Chad Walker. “We made too many mental mistakes and waited too late to start hitting the ball.”

     Shortstop Taylor Murray was the offense leader for Brookhaven with two triples and a single. Christen Benson, Shelby Case and Haley Speaks helped with two singles apiece. Shelby Peavey, Shell and Culpepper hit safely.

     In JV action, Franklin County cruised past Brookhaven 11-3.

     Emilee Wallace led the Lady Bulldogs with two singles. Hailey McDaniel contributed a double. Sophie Cothren and Harley McKay hit safely.

     The Lady Panthers were directed offensively with singles from Tia Bussey, Angel Haynes and Jada Henderson.