MEADVILLE — Brookhaven High School slowpitch softball coachLisa Covington stressed defense before and after her Lady Panthers’7-0 victory over the host Franklin County Lady Bulldogs. The LadyPanthers used steady glove work from shortstop Terri Hodges andthird baseman Sarah Ayers to defeat FC in area slowpitch softballaction Monday night.

The Lady Panthers (3-1) jumped out to a 2-0 first inning leadand never looked back. Sabrina Delaughter, Casey Risher, and KelseyFreeman plated first inning hits to lift Brookhaven to an earlyadvantage.

“It was a good defensive ball game,” said Covington. “Ourdefense played steady the whole game.”

Led by Hodges and Ayers, plus junior second baseman HannahLowman, Brookhaven cut FC scoring chances short with strongdefensive play by its infield. Franklin County (3-3) had runners inscoring position in five of seven innings, only to see ground ballhits scooped up by Hodges and company for outs.

“We seemed out of it tonight,” said FC Lady Bulldogs coach DanaSmith. “We’ve got to step up and play a full seven innings.”

FC got strong defense from outfielder Morgan Knapp and shortstopKacey Smith in the process, which kept FC in the contest. The LadyBulldogs accounted for 10 hits, led by a pair of singles from MoneaCameron and Courtney Reid. Melissa McFarland, Morgan Knapp, HeatherHavard, Desiree Buie, Shoniqua Cameron, and Smith had singles.

Still, it wasn’t enough, as Brookhaven added three runs in thetop of the third and lone runs in the fifth and seventh to gain thewin and the shutout.

“The shutout says a lot for our defense,” added Covington. ”Ourteam played hard.”

Winning pitcher Casey Risher had one strikeout for the LadyPanthers.

Offensively, Risher, Hodges, and Kelsey Freeman had two singlesapiece. Sabrina Delaughter had a double. Stevie Ann Wright, HannahLowman and Katie Stewart collected singles.

In the junior varsity game, FC won 6-3, behind singles fromKristin Oglesby, Karlee Mullins, and Desiree Buie.

Brookhaven resumes play Friday hosting West Lincoln at the OleBrook Lady Panther Sportsplex.

Franklin County travels to Natchez Cathedral tonight, and willplay host to Wesson Friday night.