The Brookhaven Lady Panthers and the Lawrence County Lady Cougars battled in a friendly softball contest to honored and recognized the survivors of Breast Cancer Thursday night as both teams and fans wore pink to show their support at the Ole Brook Lady Panthers Softball Complex.

The Lady Cougars ended up winning the contest over Brookhaven 17-3, but the biggest winners are the Cancer survivors.

“We had a great crowd come out to show their support for Breast Cancer awareness,” said BHS coach Mandy Vinson. “Lawrence County came out and played a great game. The girls played hard but we just did not make the routine plays to help us win the game.”

The Lady Cougars (13-5, 2-3) will be in action today as they host the Tylertown Lady Chiefs. Junior varsity is set to begin at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity game at 6:15 p.m.

The Lady Panthers (13-2, 2-0) will return to action Tuesday as they prepare to travel to Meadville to face the Franklin County Lady Panthers. Junior varsity action starts at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity game at 6:15 p.m.

Lawrence Co. 17, Brookhaven 3 

The Lady Panthers and the Lady Cougars battled in a tough defensive battle in the first two innings of action, before Lawrence County managed to break up the scoreless contest in the top of the third inning led by Tiera Collins’ two run home run.

The Lady Cougars continued to add to the lead in the top of the fourth inning with a four run surge.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Lady Panthers battled back into the contest and broke up Lawrence County’s bid for a shutout by scoring one run.

In the fifth and sixth innings, Lawrence County outscored Ole Brook 10-2 to win the contest in six innings of action.

Jordan Harp was the winning pitcher for the Lady Cougars with six strikeouts and two walks. Elizabeth Smith (0K, 0BB) pitched the sixth inning in relief.

Katherine Shell suffered the setback in the pitching circle for the Lady Panthers with two strikeouts and one walk. Rileigh Allen (1K, 1BB) pitched the final two innings in relief.

Alexsundria Thomas powered the Lady Cougars offense with a home run and a double. Tiera Collins contributed a home run. Lexie Johnson provided four singles. Callie Fortenberry and Josey Nations ripped three singles apiece. Hitting safely were Maddux Kirkland, Jamie Martin, Madison Hyde and Elizabeth Smith.

“We hit the ball really well tonight,” said LCHS coach Meleah Howard. “Jordan Harp pitched a great game and we played solid on defense. Overall, I was very pleased with the girls efforts.”

Shell was the top slugger for the Lady Panthers at the plate with two singles. Fallon Brook had a double. Julianna Porter and Haley Speaks hit a single each.

In junior varsity action,  the Lady Cougars defeated the Lady Panthers 10-2.

Josey Nations, Sydney Pevey and Abby Turnage tossed the win for Lawrence County with a combine effort of seven strikeouts and two walks.

Rileigh Allen (0K, 1BB) and Madison Thompson (1K, 0BB) pitched for Brookhaven.

Abbie Errington paced the Lady Cougars offense with two doubles. Raylee Ready and Lakyn Trott provided two singles each. Alyssa Lambert had a double. Hitting safely were Sydney Pevey, Ty Davis and Julianna Johnson.

Jadeyn Fuller recorded the only hit for Ole Brook at the plate with a single.