The Franklin County Lady Bulldogs escaped Brookhaven with a 9-6 victory over the Brookhaven Lady Panthers in softball action Thursday night at the Ole Brook softball complex.

“Great team effort,” said FC coach Dana Smith. “The girls did a good job staying focused on the game and hit the ball really well. We still need to work on bringing down our pitch count and walks.”

The Lady Bulldogs (3-5, 1-0) will host an invitation tournament Saturday beginning at 9 a.m. Teams participating in this event are Bogue Chitto, Enterprise, Wesson, Vicksburg and Cathedral. Franklin County will play at 3:15 p.m. against Cathedral and 4:30 p.m. against Enterprise.

The Lady Panthers (4-5) will also be hosting an Ole Brook Tournament. They begin the event at 10 a.m. against Lawrence County. Other teams involved in this event are St. Aloysius and Stringer.

Franklin Co. 9, Brookhaven 6 

Franklin County and Brookhaven softball fans watched a thrilling offensive contest between the two schools.

Emilee Wallace was the winning pitcher for the Lady Bulldogs with six strikeouts and four walks. Harley McKay (4K, 6 BB) saw some action in relief.

Katherine Shell suffered the setback for the Lady Panthers with 11 strikeouts and no walks.

Macy Brabham powered Franklin County’s offense with a home run, a double and a single. Jamecia Starks contributed a double and a single. Harley McKay had two singles. Krislyn Kent ripped a double and Shelby Smith hit a single.

Tia Bussey was the top hitter for the Lady Panther with two singles. Haley Speaks also provided a single.

“We had every opportunity to rally back and get the win,” said BHS coach Chad Walker. “But we did not get the big hits that we needed when we had runners in scoring position.”

In junior varsity action,  Brookhaven and Franklin County finished in a 4-all tie.

The Lady Bulldogs received a single each from Tabitha Thompson, Jaleshia Bethley, Sierra Bethley, Emily Smith and Ti’Mara Mackey.

Jada Henderson, Destiny Trevillion and Bussey led the Lady Panthers at the plate with a single apiece.