ECRU — South Pontotoc head coach Adam Patterson knows in order to make a deep run in the playoffs you have to play the best-of-the-best during non-region play and his Lady Cougars did just that this past Saturday in the North Pontotoc Tournament.

The Lady Cougars started off tournament play with a 9-2 win over the Ingomar Lady Falcons, but dropped a 5-3 decision to the Baldwyn Lady Bearcats and a 5-0 decision to the Wheeler Lady Eagles.

The Ingomar game

Kaitlyn Cox and Darian Simpson each scored a run in the first inning to give South a 2-0 lead before a four-run second gave the Lady Cougars some breathing room against their Union County foes.

Morgan Collins drew a one-out walk and advanced to second on a single by Cox before both scored on a double to left by Emily Henson.

Elizabeth Henson reached via a walk and Simpson singled to load the bases for Anna Roberts. Roberts drew a four-pitch walk to plate Emily before Haley Washington reached on a fielder’s choice to score Elizabeth and take a 6-0 lead.

Ingomar answered with a run in the third and another in the fifth before South could get the offense going again when Katelyn Ferguson singled and scored on another single by Collins.

Breanna Kitchens singled and scored on Cox’s third single of the day to pick up the seven-run victory.

“We came out and hit the ball really well and played solid defense,” Coach Patterson said.

“I was very pleased with the way everyone played and really thought it was one of our better games of the year so far.”

The Baldwyn game

The Lady Cougars had there chances against Class 2A power Baldwyn, but the bats alluded them when they needed them the most. They left seven runners stranded in scoring position in the 5-3 loss.

“We felt like we had a good chance against Baldwyn, but we came out and left 10 runners on base and had bases loaded twice and didn’t get any runs in,” Coach Patterson added.

“We played well, we just didn’t get any timely hits,” Patterson.

Simpson went 2-for-2 with a walk and a run scored while Roberts went 2-for-2 with a walk. Elizabeth Henson and Cox each added a run in the game.

The Wheeler game

The bats came around for South against Wheeler, but it was a game where the breaks beat the girls as every solid hit seem to be on a line straight to one of the Lady Eagles fielders the entire game.

“We hit the ball but it was right to them,” Patterson said.

“They did a good job playing defense and catching all of our solid hit balls.

“Our effort was there so I was pleased.”

Emily Henson went 2-for-3 with a single and a double while Elizabeth Henson, Washington, Collins, and Laken Mooneyham all singled in the contest.

South Pontotoc Tourney

Saturday will be South Pontotoc’s turn to host their Tournament this weekend when an impressive line-up is set to take the field in Springville starting at 9 a.m.

North Pontotoc, Pontotoc, Houston, Saltillo, Alcorn Central, Clarkdale, and Belmont are all schedule to participate in the day-long event.

“I think we’ve got one of the best tournaments around,” Coach Patterson said.

“It will be a good eight-team tournament and I really think it will be a fun day of softball.”

Plan to come early and stay late. Five dollars will get you in the gate for the nine-game tournament.