Lady Wolves Come From Behind Against Wildcats in Region 23 Tournament

ELLISVILLE – The Co-Lin Softball team continued their play in the NJCAA Region 23 Tournament with a matchup against Pearl River on Saturday, May 13. The Wildcats jumped out to an early lead over the Lady Wolves, but the Lady Wolves fought back and earned a come from behind win, 6-4, to advance in the winner's bracket.

"Wow what a tough performance from our team this afternoon," stated Co-Lin head coach Meleah Howard. "Today was as gritty of a performance as you can have on the biggest stage. I am so very proud of how we bounced back after giving up a few runs early."

The Wildcats forced a three-up-and-three-down top of the first by the Lady Wolves and then used an explosive bottom half of the inning scoring four runs on four hits including a three-run home run to take a 4-0 lead.

However, the Lady Wolves started their comeback effort with a single run in the top of the second as Belle West (Byram) hit a one-out double and then advanced to third on a follow-up single by Zykeria Cole (Magee) to put runners on the corners. Skyler Speights (Monticello) then drew a walk with two outs to load the bases. Madison Moak (Brookhaven) then had a 16 pitch at-bat then ended with a walk scoring West to make the lead, 4-1.

The Lady Wolves added an emphatic solo run in the top of the third as Maddie Weeks (Clinton) stepped up with one out on the board, took one swing of the bat and crushed a 1-1 pitch to straight away center field for a solo home run making the score, 4-2.

The Lady Wolves then tied the game with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth as Leia Phillips (Philadelphia) was hit by pitch with one out to get the offense going. Later in the inning, Moak hit a two-out single to put two runners on for the Lady Wolves. Josie Meggs then stepped up and hit an RBI single score Phillips while an error on the play allowed Moak to score tying the game at 4-4.

The final two runs for the Lady Wolves came in the top of the sixth as Speights and Moak hit back-to-back singles with one out to put two runners on. Maggie West (Waynesboro) was then brought in as a pinch runner for Speights and both West and Moak advanced to third and second respectively on a passed ball. Meggs then drew a walk to load the bases with one out, while Faith Kivett (Tallulah, LA) then stepped up and delivered the go-ahead runs with a two RBI single scoring West and Moak and giving the Lady Wolves their first lead of the game at 6-4.

The Lady Wolves then retired six straight Wildcat hitters in the final two innings, striking out three, to secure the 6-4 win.

The Lady Wolves totaled eight hits as a team with Madison Moak leading the way going 2-for-2 at the plate while Josie Meggs, Faith Kivett, Maddie Weeks, Belle West, Zykeria Cole, and Skyler Speights had one hit each. Kivett led the Lady Wolves with two RBIs while Meggs, Weeks, and Moak had one RBI each.

Cara Biswell (Brandon) got the start for the Lady Wolves and improved to 16-1 overall. Despite a rough first inning, Biswell settled in and allowed just two baserunners, one via a walk and one on a fielding error, in the final six innings. With her 13th complete game of the season, Biswell allowed four runs on four hits with three walks and six strikeouts.

"It would have been very easy for us to lay down and quit and we chose not to…that's what really tough competitors do," added Howard. "We found ways to get big outs and come through with some very clutch at-bats when we needed them."

Co-Lin improves to 40-8 overall on the season and have booked a matchup with Jones in the winner's bracket on Sunday, May 14. First pitch between the Bobcats and the Lady Wolves is set for 11 a.m., at Community Bank Park in Ellisville.

"We had freshmen stepping up…we had sophomores showing a lot of leadership and all-in-all it was a really great day for Co-Lin Softball," said Howard. "We are excited about giving ourselves a chance to play for a spot in the Region 23 Championship tomorrow along with a chance to clinch an appearance in the national tournament."