WESSON – On a warm and pleasant day in January, the Co-Lin Lady Wolves opened their 2013 season with a sweep over the No. 5-ranked Heartland, Ill. Lady Hawks in JUCO softball action. The Lady Wolves held to win the opener 7-6 and rallied in the nightcap to skin the Lady Hawks 7-6.

“I am very pleased to get two big wins over Heartland,” said Co-Lin coach Allen Kent. “Heartland is a lot better than their record indicated. Overall, I am extremely proud of my girls. They fought hard in both games and did not give up.”

The Lady Wolves (2-0) continue action Friday as they host the Baton Rouge Lady Bears for a doubleheader. Game time is 1 p.m.

Co-Lin 7, Heartland 6 

The Lady Wolves and Lady Hawks provided softball fans with plenty of excitement in the opening game as both team struck quickly in the first inning with one-run apiece.

In the second and third innings, Co-Lin continued their hot hitting streak and increased the lead to 6-1.

The Lady Hawks fought back and cut into Co-Lin’s lead. They managed to score three runs as the Lady Wolves held on for a 6-4 lead.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Lady Wolves battled hard to push across one run for a 7-4 lead.

In the top of the seventh inning, Heartland was threatening to make a big comeback by punching through two-runs, but Co-Lin denied their rally..

Freshmen pitcher Meghan Johnson (1-0) was the winning pitcher in the opener. She earned no strikeouts and allowed one walk. The Lady Wolves pitched a three-man rotation in the contest. Chynna Coghlan pitched in relief for two inning to collect no strikeouts and two walks. Brooke Gonzales received the save for the Wolves in the seventh inning with no strikeouts and one walk.

Beth Wilson suffered the loss for the Lady Hawks with two strikeouts and no walks.

Sophomore shortstop Josie Porter and freshman right-fielder Missy Romero were the offensive leaders for the Lady Wolves with a triple and home run apiece. Hitting safely were Karla Hux, Shelby Mitchell, Kaitlin Moak, Kaitlan Melton and Kacie Berry,

“Our pitchers did an outstanding job keeping us in the game,” continued Kent. “We had several subs step up big in this tough contest.”

MacKenzie Fox and Kate Mayes directed the Lady Hawks’ offense with a double and two singles each. Ashli King contributed a double and single. Beka Ferguson ripped two singles

Co-Lin 7, Heartland 6

The Lady Hawks (1-5) came out strong in the second game and took a commanding 6-1 lead after five innings of action.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Lady Wolves pulled off an amazing comeback. They refused to give up and fought hard to load the bases with one out. Mitchell pushed across CL’s second run on a walk.

Co-Lin’s freshman pinch hitter Kacie Berry, from Copiah Academy, came to the plate and fought off several good pitches to find the pitch she wanted and smashed a grand slam home run over the left-center wall to tie the game at 6-all.

After a quick celebration, the Wolves went back to work. Beth Fortenberry drew a walk on five pitches. Co-Lin hit a sacrifice bunt to first base to push Fortenberry to second base. With two outs, pinch-hitter Meghan Johnson crushed a two-out double to left-center to send home the winning run.

Romero pitched the win for the Lady Wolves with no strikeouts and no walks. Gonzales was the starting pitcher for CL. She pitched five innings to earn two strikeouts and one walk.

Maddie Martindale absorbed the loss for the Lady Hawks with two strikeouts and three walks. Kelsie Kuhlmann started for Heartland and tossed one strikeout and three walks.

Berry paced the Lady Wolves with a home run. Porter contributed a double and a single. Johnson hit a double. Hitting safely were Kayla Craft, Hannah Roberts, Fortenberry, Hux and Mitchell.

“Berry’a grand slam was huge for us and it took the air out of Heartland,” stated Allen. “Romero did a good job pitching in relief to keep us in the game. The girls did a good job responding offensively against a good and tough team. We still need to be more consistent on defense.”

Ferguson and Mayes led Heartland with a double and single each. Christian Beam provided two singles. Fox hit a double and King singled.

“Overall, we played very poorly today,” said Heartland coach John Bassett. “Co-Lin competed in both games until the very end. They deserved to win. The season is still young for us but we need to do a better job competing.”