The Brookhaven Lady Panthers opened their softball season with a comeback win as they escaped Enterprise with an 11-8 victory Tuesday night.

     “Glad to start our season off with a win,” said Brookhaven coach Chad Walker. “I was pleased to see the girls overcome their first game jitters. They stepped up and played together by making the plays needed to win.”

     The Lady Panthers (1-0) return home to host the Lawrence County Lady Cougars, Thursday. Junior varsity begins at 5 p.m., followed by the varsity game at 6:30 p.m.

     The Lady Jackets (1-2) resumes action Friday, hosting the McComb Lady Tigers. Game time is 5 p.m. for the junior varsity, followed by the varsity at 6.

Brookhaven 11, Enterprise 8

     The Lady Jackets and Lady Panthers battled back and forth in this contest. Enterprise quickly grabbed a 5-2 lead in the first two innings of action.

     Brookhaven fought back to keep the game close. Both teams traded three runs apiece in the fourth through sixth innings. Enterprise held an 8-5 advantage going into the final frame.

     In the seventh inning, the Lady Panthers rallied to claim their first lead. They managed to capitalize on Enterprise’s fielding errors to push across six runs. They held off the Lady Jackets in the bottom half to gain the win. Both teams committed six errors.

     Senior Brooke Hosick was the winning pitcher for Brookhaven, collecting two strikeouts and two walks. Hannah Moak absorbed the setback for the Lady Jackets with three strikeouts and two walks. Taylor Nelson (8K, 2BB) was the starting pitcher for Enterprise.

     Hosick was the offensive leader for the Lady Panthers with three singles. Katherine Shell contributed a double and a single. Christen Benson ripped a double. Hitting safely was Shelby Peavey.

     Enterprise out hit Brookhaven 12-7 as sophomore second baseman Kristin Jergins directed the Lady Jackets with three singles. Taylor Nelson provided a double and a single. Kayla Britt hit two singles. Haley Brazell, Ashley Boyd, Kelsey Hux, Skyler Dahlin, and Moak hit safely.

     “We are young and inexperienced,” said Enterprise first-year head coach Ashley Jones. “The more we play, the more we can gain experience. Overall, I was pleased with our strong start, but we need to finish it as well.”

     In JV action, Enterprise edged Brookhaven 3-2 with the combined efforts of the Lady Jackets’ pitchers Kaylin Chemin (1K, 5BB), Alex Rae Smith (1K, 0BB) and strong defensive stops.

     Katherine Shell suffered the setback for Brookhaven in the no-hitter with three strikeouts and six walks.

     Taylor Murray directed the young Panthers at the plate with a home run. Hitting safely were Tia Bussey, Jada Henderson and Shell.