In a defensive struggle Thursday night at the Lady PantherSoftball Complex, the Florence Lady Eagles edged the BrookhavenLady Panthers 3-1 in slow-pitch softball action.

Freshmen Kayla Phillips authored the win for Florence head coachJennifer Sandifer, while Brianna Ashmore took the loss for OleBrook.

Phillips aided her cause at the plate with 2 singles.

Brookhaven (13-7, 5-2) plays at Lawrence Co. Tuesday, whileFlorence 17-6, 6-2) hosts McComb. The Brookhaven/Lawrence Co.winner will make the Class 4A playoffs, while the loser will beeliminated from post-season play.

Only the top 2 teams in each division will advance to theplayoffs.

Brookhaven posted a 10-0 win over Florence in the JV game.

Florence 3, Brookhaven 1

Both teams were spectacular on the defensive side, despite eachballclub surrendering a pair of errors. Brookhaven left 14 batterson base, while Florence tallied 5.

“You can’t score leaving runners on base,” said Ole Brook headcoach Lisa Covington. “It was a good defensive ball game.”

Florence opened the scoring in the top half of the first, takinga 2-0 lead. With 1 out, Candace Duke doubled. Jenna McWilliamsreached on an error. Brooke Harris reached on an error that allowedDuke and McWilliams to score.

Ole Brook plated a single run in the bottom of the first. With 1out, Terri Hodges singled. Katie Stewart singled, moving Hodges tosecond. With 2 outs, freshman Stevie Wright doubled off thecenterfield wall; scoring Hodges.

The Lady Eagles realized the final margin of victory in thefourth. Harris doubled. Beth Derryberry doubled to scoreHarris.

“We usually average about 10 runs a game,” said Coach Sandiferfollowing the game. “It was a good defensive game. Brookhaven has agood team.”

Leading the Lady Panther charge was Christi Martin with 2singles and a double. Sarah Ayers had 3 singles. Wright singledtwice. Hodges had 2 singles.