POPLARVILLE — The Co-Lin Lady Wolves fastpitch softball teamswept a big South Division doubleheader from the Pearl River LadyWildcats Wednesday afternoon.

Co-Lin won the opener 10-2 and the finale 15-4.

The Lady Wolves (14-1) return home Saturday to host Southwestfor a division doubleheader, beginning at 1 p.m.

“These were two big division road wins for us,” said Co-Linwomen’s head coach Allen Kent. “I am proud of the way the girlsplayed today. We were patient at the plate, ran the bases well with10 stole bases, and we played solid defense.”

Kent said All-Region third baseman Courtney Angle went downbefore Spring Break with a torn medial miniscus ligament in herknee against Louisiana College.

“Our girls stepped up and picked up the slack without Courtneyin the lineup,” added Kent. “A return to the lineup is hopeful inthe next few weeks.”

Co-Lin 10, Pearl River 2

“We had scoring opportunities in the first four innings butcouldn’t capitalize,” stated Kent.

Jessica Melton and Megan Bateman collected back-to-back singlesin the top of the fifth inning. Following a double steal, freshmansecond baseman Jackie Stowe hit a towering 3-run home run to givethe Lady Wolves a 3-1 lead.

In the sixth, Brandi Bridges singled and stole second. AmberBeeson singled and scored Bridges. Following a walk, Batemansingled home a run. Jackie Stowe drew an intentional walk to leadthe bases. Freshman Holly Pyles executed a perfect 2-strike suicidesqueeze bunt to score Melton. Bridges collected her second hit ofthe inning, driving in Angie Davis.

“Jackie’s home run was huge,” stated Kent. “It really gave usthe momentum. After Holly laid down the suicide, it just took thewin out of their sails.”

Pitcher Emily Horne directed Co-Lin to the win as the freshmanfrom Houston, Texas, scattered 7 hits and allowed one run to score.She struck out 3 batters and did not issue a walk.

Melton, Bateman, Davis and Bridges each collected 2 hits for theLady Wolves. Beth Smith singled.

The Lady Wolves are hoping for a late-season return by freshmanpitcher Kendra Lindsey who is out with a fractured fibula.

Erin Brown tripled for the Lady Wildcats.

Co-Lin 15, Pearl River 4

Horne (9-1) was the winner in the second game, allowed 7 hits,one base on balls and no strikeouts. She threw 170 pitches in thedoubleheader.

“We scored in every inning in Game Two, taking advantage of 15bases on balls,” explained Kent.

Bateman singled twice for 2 RBI. Angie Davis added an RBIdouble. Singling were Melton, Stowe, Stacy Smith, Pyles andBeeson.

Pearl River (8-9, 0-2) got a 2-run homer from KelliWillliams.