Co-Lin still alive in the MACCC State Tournament

FULTON – The Co-Lin Lady Wolves stayed alive in the Mississippi Association of Community College Conference (MACCC) State Softball Tournament by handing the Northwest Lady Rangers an 8-3 loss in the loser's bracket. Co-Lin (29-8) will play the Mississippi Gulf Coast Lady Bulldogs at approximately 7:30 p.m. tonight.  

Co-Lin jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Madalyn Wilkinson (Madison/Germantown High School) singled to center and advanced to second on Carlon Brabham's (Amite, LA/Oak Forest Academy) ground out. Abigail Carter (Mendenhall/Simpson Academy) drilled a line drive and reach on an error scoring Wilkinson.

The Lady Wolves increased their lead to 2-0 in the top of the third inning. Carter reached on a fielder's choice and advanced to second when Cera Blanchard (Metairie, LA/De La Salle High School) was hit by a pitch. Carter advanced to third on Molly Johnson's (Jackson/Northwest Rankin High School) ground out. Shelbi Maxwell reached on an error by the third baseman scoring Carter.

In the top of the fourth, Brabham's RBI single to center scored Madi Miller (Brookhaven/Brookhaven High School). Carter drilled a two-run home run to center to put the Lady Wolves up 5-0.

The Lady Rangers got on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning courtesy of a Co-Lin error.

Wilkinson led off the top of the sixth with a double to center and advanced to third on a passed ball. Brabham's sacrifice fly to center plated Wilkinson. Carter hit her second home run of the game, a solo shot over the left field fence to put the Lady Wolves up 7-1.

In the bottom of the sixth, Northwest took advantage of two Co-Lin errors to plate two runs and cut the Lady Wolves lead to 7-3.

With two outs, Molly Davis (Philadelphia/Leake Academy) singled to left and advanced to second on a Wilkinson walk. Brabham's RBI single added another insurance run in the top of the seventh.

Bella Luckey (Mendenhall/Simpson Academy), who came in relief of Co-Lin starter Cera Blanchard in the sixth inning, was able to shut down Northwest in the bottom of the seventh to preserve the win.

Blanchard improved to 15-3. She gave up one run (none earned) on four hits, struck out five and walked two in five innings of work. Luckey allowed two runs (none earned) on four hits, struck out two and walked one in two innings.

Meagan Allen took the loss for Northwest. She allowed two runs (none earned), one hit and walked four in 2.2 innings. Kaylei Peterson pitched 4.1 innings allowing six runs (five earned), seven hits, struck out two and walked two

At the plate for Co-Lin, Carter had two home runs and three RBIs. Brabham had a pair of singles and three RBIs. Wilkinson had a double and a single. Hitting safely were Davis and Baileigh Jackson (Bogue Chitto/Bogue Chitto High School).

For the Lady Rangers, Saige Koczka was 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a single. Kaitlyn Bednarek had a pair of singles. Adding support were Maddie Brower, Meredith Owen and Laila Armstrong.

NEXT UP | The Lady Wolves will face Mississippi Gulf Coast in an elimination game Friday at 7:30 p.m. Watch LIVE at www.LetsGoICCTV.com/red