MONTICELLO – In a house divided, Lawrence County coach Meleah Howard led her Lady Cougars to an 4-3 victory over her former coach and alma mater, Bogue Chitto, in an 11-inning marathon Friday night in a non-divisional softball contest.

“Glad to get the win,” said Howard. “I am extremely proud of my girls’ efforts. They did not give up and continued to play aggressive on offense and defense. We managed to execute our small ball really well.

“Overall, this was a great game.,” continued Howard. “Both teams played hard. Bogue Chitto is a tough and competitive club.”

The Lady Cougars (16-2, 3-2) resume action Tuesday when they host the Tylertown Lady Chiefs. Junior varsity action kicks off at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity at 6:30.

The Bogue Chitto Lady Cats (10-5, 1-1) return home to host region foe, the St. Aloysius Lady Flashes, for a varsity game only Tuesday, starting at 6 p.m.

Lawrence County 4, Bogue Chitto 3

Lawrence County and Bogue Chitto fans gathered to witness a classic heavyweight defensive bout between the Lady Cougars and Lady Cats.

BC and LCHS battled back-and-forth through seven scoreless innings in a tough and physical contest.

The game provided plenty of excitement for the fans as they watched their teams’ pitchers duel in a competitive defensive bout.

In extra innings, The umpires evoked the softball rule that allows the last batter out from the previous inning to be placed at second base to help speed up the game.

In the eighth, ninth and 10th innings, Both teams continued their tough battle as neither school was willing to give up. The Lady Cats and Lady Cougars traded one run apiece by using a small ball strategy.

In the top of the 11th inning, Bogue Chitto fought hard to continue setting the tone but failed to score their runner for third base.

In the bottom of the 11th inning, Lawrence County managed to send across the winning runner (Jazmin Thomas) on a two-pass ball to end the wild and crazy night.

Freshmen Elizabeth Smith was the winning pitcher for the Lady Cougars with two strikeouts and three walks.

Senior third baseman Kristen Byrd was the offensive leader for LCHS with a double and a single. Alyssa Pendergrass, Jazmin Thomas, Lexie Johnson, Jamie Martin and Smith hit safely.

Senior Rheagan Welch suffered the setback for the Lady Cats with five strikeouts and one walk.

Daley Roberts, Adrienne Wallace and Mallory Allen directed BC’s charge at the plate with a pair of singles apiece. Hitting safely were Mattie Avants, Alexis Givens and Alana Nettles.

“Great game,” said BC coach Scott Leggett. “Both pitchers pitched a good game. Both teams came through with big hits in clutch moments to survive in extra innings.

“Overall, when a game goes this long, anything can and will go wrong, but I am very proud of my girls’ efforts.

In JV action, Bogue Chitto blanked LCHS 4-0.

Christian Black tossed the win for the Lady Cats with six strikeouts and one walk.

Jordan Harp absorbed the setback for the Lady Cougars with four strikeouts and one walk. Lancey Trott (3K, 0BB) saw some action in relief.

Rachel White paced BC’s offense with four singles. Black contributed a double and two singles. Lauren McCaffery ripped a pair of doubles. Reagan Kirkland had a single.

Callie Fortenberry was the offensive leader for LCHS with a single.