MONTICELLO-The Lawrence County Lady Cougars defeated the Ridgeland Lady Titans 8-1 in slow-pitch softball action Tuesday night at Lawrence County High School. The win improved the Lady Cougars’ record to 21-1 on the season – they have one game remaining before the start of the 4A playoffs.

Lawrence County broke open a tight game with a five-run bottom of the fourth, but failed to close out the Lady Titans. Tuesday’s game marked the first time in their last nine games that the Lady Cougars were forced to go a full seven innings.

“We had a decent night,” said Lawrence County coach Meleah Howard. “But we didn’t swing it all that well. We hit too many fly balls. We defended well, though.”

In the bottom of the first, Tyranesha Davis singled and eventually scored on a Maddux Kirkland sacrifice fly. In the third, after the first two batters were retired, Josey Nations singled, and Jordan Harp whacked a two-run homer, making it a 3-0 game.

Ridgeland’s Olivia Wilson drove home the Lady Titans’ lone run in the fourth, with a booming double to the black wall in center field. Lawrence County’s five-run rally in the bottom of the inning ended any drama. Callie Fortenberry had a two-run single.

Harp and Zyon Feazell led Lawrence County with two hits each. Fortenberry, Davis, Nations, Amanda Rushing, Emalee Gaffney, Barri Rogers and Abbie Errington each had one hit. Rogers was the winning pitcher, working the full seven innings.

Ridgeland was led by Madison Bennett, who went 2-for-3. Mamie Ainsworth and Olivia Wilson each had one hit. Wilson was a defensive standout, making numerous excellent plays at third base.

Lawrence County will close out its regular season Saturday morning, playing the Ole Brook Lady Panthers at Bogue Chitto. Next Tuesday, LCHS will host Florence in a best-of-three playoff series.