DAILY LEADER / Marty Albright / Lawrence County freshman pitcher Julianna Johnson sees action on the rubber Saturday against Mize.

MONTICELLO – The high school sports year kicked off at Lawrence County on Saturday, as Meleah Howard’s LCHS Lady Cougars hosted a slow-pitch softball jamboree. Eight area teams played a total of eight four-inning games on what was one of the hottest days anyone in attendance could remember. Host Lawrence County, Brookhaven and Wesson were the big winners, each going 2-0.

“We had a good day,” Howard said. “We were honored to have seven of our area schools here at our place. It was hot, but that’s what you have to expect in Mississippi in August. I hope it was a good experience for all of the teams involved.”

DAILY LEADER / Marty Albright / Franklin County’s Bre Williams hits the ball for her Lady Bulldogs in Lawrence County’s softball jamboree Saturday.

Howard’s Lady Cougars started the day with a 15-run first-inning outburst against Mize, cruising to a 15-0 win. Seven hours later, in the final game of the day, Lawrence County edged Raleigh 1-0 in a tense defensive battle.

“We defended well today,” Howard said, “but we didn’t hit it much after that big first inning. We played eight very solid innings defensively.”

DAILY LEADER / Marty Albright / Wesson’s Riley Smith prepares to deliver her pitch in softball action at Lawrence County’s softball jamboree.

The Ole Brook Lady Panthers also had a good day. They handled rival Franklin County 9-1 in an early game, then turned back Mendenhall 6-3 a couple of hours later. The Lady Bulldogs would later rebound for a 13-3 win over Crystal Springs.

Like Lawrence County, the Wesson Lady Cobras did not allow a run in two four-inning tilts. Wesson hammered Mize 11-0, then shut out Raleigh by a 1-0 score. Raleigh was outstanding defensively throughout the day, but dropped two 1-0 decisions.

Lawrence County will resume play this coming Saturday, playing two afternoon games at the Puckett Classic.

Lawrence County Jamboree Results 

Lawrence County 15, Mize 0

Brookhaven 9, Franklin County 1

Wesson 11, Mize 0

Brookhaven 6, Mendenhall 3

Franklin County 13, Crystal Springs 3

Wesson 1, Raleigh 0

Mendenhall 13, Crystal Springs 0

Lawrence County, 1, Raleigh 0

DAILY LEADER / Marty Albright / Brookhaven senior Haley Speaks collects a hit in Lawrence County’s softball jamboree.