PERKINSTON – The Co-Lin Lady Wolves split their South Division opener with the Mississippi Gulf Coast Lady Bulldogs taking game one 4-3 and falling 4-1 in the finale. The Lady Wolves (9-6, 1-1) will host the Southwest Lady Bears on Tuesday for a double header that begins at 3 p.m.

Co-Lin 4, Gulf Coast 3 

The Lady Wolves were able to capitalize on their opportunities to take the 4-3 win. Gulf Coast out hit the Lady Wolves eight to six, but Gulf Coast stranded eight runners on base.

“We were pleased to at least split on the road at Gulf Coast,” said Lady Wolves head coach Allen Kent. “It’s a tough place to win. Brooke didn’t quite have her best stuff today, but she battled and we played great defense all day. Beth Fortenbery made an outstanding diving play early in game one to save at least one run. We got some timely hitting, but still left a 8 runners stranded on base.”

In the top of the first inning, Kayla Craft singled to left field and advanced to second on a passed ball. Craft scored on a Hannah Roberts RBI single to left field to put the lady Wolves up 1-0.

The Lady Wolves tacked on another two runs in the second. Payton Sheffield led off the inning with a single to right field. Beth Fortenbery was hit by a pitch. The runners advanced a base on a wild pitch. Adrienne Wallace drew a walk to load the bases. Sheffield scored on a passed ball. Brooke Laigast hit a sacrifice fly to score Fortenbery and give the Lady Wolves a 3-0 lead.

Co-Lin would add an insurance run in the top of the fourth inning to take a 4-0 lead. With one out Fortenbery singled to centerfield. Kacie Berry followed with a single to left. Wallace loaded the bases on a sacrifice bunt. Laigast was hit by a pitch that scored Fortenbery.

Gulf Coast scored on an RBI single by Brooke Ladner in the fourth inning pulled the Lady Bulldogs to 4-1.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Lady Bulldogs rallied for two runs. An RBI single by Emily Davis and an RBI single by Brooke Gaston pulled the Lady Bulldogs to 4-3.

Fortenbery led the way at the plate for Co-Lin going 2-for-2 with a pair of singles. Adding support with a single apiece were Craft, Roberts, Sheffield, and Berry.

Brooke Gonzales got the win for the Lady Wolves. She allowed three runs, on eight hits, struck out none, and walked three in seven innings.

Elise Richardson took the loss for Gulf Coast. She lasted 5.2 innings, walked two, struck out four, and allowed four runs.

At the plate for Gulf Coast, Gaston doubled and singled. Ashley Hickman had a pair of singles. Davis, Britney Butler, Ladner and Cat Campbell singled.

Gulf Coast 4, Co-Lin 1 

“We had a few chances in game two, but just didn’t get the hits when we needed them,” said Kent. “Gulf Coast is a quality team. We’ll take a split there any time we can get it. We played error-free on the day, even without shortstop Savannah Johnston, who is out with a concussion.”

Gulf Coast took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second on Brooke Beaty’s RBI single to left field.

The Lady Bulldogs plated three more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Co-Lin’s only score came in the top of the sixth inning. With one out. Roberts doubled to left field, advanced to third and scored on a fly ball by McKenzie.

At the plate, Breanna McKenzie and Roberts doubled. Laigast and Wallace added support with a single apiece.

The Lady Bulldogs scored four runs on five hits. Hickman led the way with a pair of singles. Adding support were Davis, Mallory Beaty, and Reagan Prentiss.

Co-Lin starter Reagan Welch took the loss giving up 4 runs (1 earned) on five hits, walking two and striking out one in 4.2 innings. Meghan Johnson relieved Welch and pitched 1.2 scoreless innings.

Gulf Coast pitcher Paige Breal picked up the win scattering four hits, allowing one run (0 earned) and struck out three in seven innings of work.