The Russell County Lady Lakers scored eight of their nine runs in the fifth and sixth innings, then held off a rally by Southwestern in the seventh to come away with a 9-8 victory Thursday night and move to 2-0 on the season.
The Lady Lakers entered the bottom of the fifth inning trailing 5-1, but scored five runs to take a 6-5 lead. The Lady Lakers built on that lead even more when senior Camryn Woodrum doubled with the bases loaded, scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth to build a 9-5 Lady Lakers lead.
Southwestern scored three runs in the top of the 7th, but senior Natalie Hart struck out two batters and forced a groundout to first base to put the game away to seal the victory.
Hart pitched all seven innings for the Lady Lakers, giving up 8 hits and 5 earned runs, while striking out eight batters.
Woodrum was 3-4 from the plate with 3 doubles and 4 RBI.
Sophie Shearer was 2-3 from the plate with 2 RBI.
Payton Kinnett and Emma Popplewell each finished with 1 RBI.
