ELLISVILLE – Playing at Jones County in the Gwyn Magee Invitational, the Copiah-Lincoln Lady Wolves softball team had a Friday to remember as they topped two nationally ranked teams in one day. The Lady Wolves grabbed a 9-3 victory over No. 3 Illinois Central in their first game and followed that with a 9-1 win over No. 5 Lincoln Land.

“I’m extremely pleased with the way we played,” said Lady Wolves head coach Allen Kent. “Our pitchers worked ahead in the count and we were very disciplined at the plate. These were two quality wins, getting us ready for division play next week.”

Co-Lin 9, No. 3 Illinois Central 3

A five run first inning gave the Lady Wolves (6-2) the juice they needed to cruise to the win. Leadoff batter Savannah Johnston started the inning off with a walk. Johnston then stole second and advanced to third on a Lauren Brashier groundout. Jessica Crum reached on a walk and was replaced by courtesy runner Carmen Perry. Johnston and Perry scored on a passed ball to give Co-Lin a 2-0 lead.

Sophomore Breanna McKenzie and freshman Brittany Barbay hit back-to-back doubles for Co-Lin. McKenzie would eventually score on a basses loaded walk and sophomore Payton Sheffield would bring home two more runs later in the inning with a single. Barbay finished 2-4 with one RBI and two runs scored. McKenzie and Sheffield both finished 2-3. Sophomore Julian Johnson contributed three RBIs, including a two RBI single in the bottom of the second inning. Crum also added an RBI for Co-Lin.

Freshman Lucy Lewis (4-0) picked up the win in the circle after giving up two unearned runs on three hits in five innings of work. Freshman Kamry Creel relieved Lewis and tossed two innings, giving up one unearned run on three hits.

Illinois Central (1-5) qualified for the NJCAA National Tournament last season.

Co-Lin 9, No. 5 Lincoln Land 1 

Co-Lin kept the good times rolling in the nightcap with another big offensive showing against the Lincoln Land (Illinois) Loggers (0-2). The Loggers were also NJCAA National Tournament qualifiers in 2014.

Co-Lin trailed 1-0 until the bottom of the fifth inning. That’s when the Lady Wolves plated five runs and then followed it with four more runs in the bottom of the sixth. The Wolves got on the board with an RBI single by Greta Carley, a walk by Jessica Crum, an RBI single by Breanna McKenzie, a walk by Brittany Barbay, and an RBI double by Kaitlyn Taylor. Freshman outfielder Carmen Perry went 3-3 at the plate for Co-Lin with a double and two singles. Adrienne Wallace also went 2-2 as did Carley. Taylor finished 3-4 and Mattie Avants and McKenzie added two hits apiece. The Lady Wolves pounded out a whopping 17 hits. Lauren Brashier, Savannah Johnston, and Jessica Crum all also hit safely for Co-Lin.

Bogue Chitto product Rheagen Welch was lights out in the circle for Co-Lin. The sophomore gave up one unearned run on two hits and struck out two.

“Rheagen Welch pitched one of her best games,” said Kent. “Both of these teams were ranked high for a reason and today we showed what we are capable of doing.”

Co-Lin is next schedule to travel to Baton Rouge Community College on Monday, Feb. 23 for a 3 p.m. doubleheader with the Lady Bears. On Tuesday, Feb. 24 the Lady Wolves are scheduled to host Coahoma for a doubleheader in Wesson beginning at 1 p.m.