BROOKHAVEN  — The Lady Cougars’ state title defense got off to a strong start with a 9-4 win over Wayne Academy Friday Evening. 

Head Coach Lisa Covington earned her first win as the Lady Cougar’s skipper. 

“I thought we came out swinging the bat well,” she said. “It is great to get the first win.” 

Brookhaven Academy had 11 hits and was led at the plate by senior Sasha King and freshman Miriam Wallace who had three hits each. 

In the first inning, Wallace said she was comfortable in right field, but she was nervous when she stepped up to bat. She prayed to God for peace of mind as she stepped into the batter’s box. 

Her bat made contact and sent a grounder skipping at the shortstop, who was unable to make a play, and she reached first base. 

“The nerves went away, and I felt I could do this,” Wallace said. “I expected to hit well. Nothing too much, just a few base hits. I relaxed and started hitting the ball.” 

She would finish the game with three RBIs and a double. Her teammate Sasha King scratched the first run across the plate with a ground ball to the third baseman. Wayne Academy’s third baseman threw her out at first, but her teammate scored. It was one of her four RBIs for the day. 

Wayne Academy jumped to a 2-1 lead in the third inning when they hit a two-run home run to left field. Brookhaven Academy had an answer as Morgan Chemin cranked a two-run homer out of the park in the bottom of the third inning to take a 3-2 lead.

BA added five runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. King stepped up to the plate and delivered a three-run home run in her first game back in a Lady Cougars Uniform. She missed last season due to a back injury. 

“I’m just grateful. It was God’s blessing. I give him the glory,” King said. “I think we hit the ball well today because of all of the practice we have had. We see the ball well. We all knew what we were capable of doing. The home run just felt amazing. I give credit to God for sure. My first game back, and it feels great.” 

A wild pitch scored the ninth out in the bottom of the sixth. Wayne Academy scratched two more runs across the plate, but it wasn’t enough. 

Kensey Covington earned the win for the Lady Cougars. She pitched a complete game giving up five hits and four runs while striking out nine batters. Her command helped her get through the game with 91 pitches, and 77 percent of her pitches were strikes. 

Brookhaven Academy finished the game with five stolen bases and left 20 runners stranded. King said she feels like the team could improve moving forward by playing simple and playing small ball. 

“I think we played well. We came out wanting to win, and I’ve been waiting for this since February,” she said. “It puts us in a good spot for yourself and as a team. It feels great to get on top, and it gives us momentum into the next game.”

BA plays Simpson Academy July 30 at 9 a.m.