MEADVILLE – Led by Shelby Smith’s 3-for-3 performance at the plate, the Franklin County Lady Bulldogs advanced to the third round of the MHSAA Class 3A playoffs with a 5-4 victory over Seminary Wednesday afternoon.

FC wins the series 2-0 over Seminary, and will play the winner of the Choctaw County/Sumrall series Friday in Round Three.

Coached by Dana and Mickey Smith, the Lady Bulldogs jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Seminary’s Jesse Smith connected on a towering 2-run homer in the third inning to tie the game up.

Franklin High standout junior Jamecia Starks ripped a triple in the fourth inning and later scored off a Shelby Smith single.

“Jamecia is an athlete,” said FC head coach Dana Smith.

Starks later threw out a runner from the outfield in the next inning that halted Seminary’s momentum.

Both teams traded runs in the fifth before the Lady Bulldogs inserted their closer in Harley McKay to shut the game out in the top of the seventh.

FC’s Hayle McKinney led all batters with three singles and three RBI’s. Starks added a triple and a single.

On the mound, Emilee Wallace collected the win. McKay notched the save.