NEW ALBANY--Saturday, the Pine Grove Lady Panthers used a seven-run, two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth inning to earn a 7-5 comeback win over the Baldwyn Lady Bearcats. The game was played as part of the 13th Annual Robertson's Sportswear Challenge at the New Albany Sportsplex.

The Lady Panthers' bats were quiet through the first four innings. However, in the decisive fifth, they broke through for eight consecutive hits, all with two outs.

"That's what is amazing about sports--the Jekyll and Hyde syndrome," said Lady Panther coach Chris Shinall. "We went through four innings where we got three hits. We get two outs in the fifth and then reel off eight straight."

Ashley Pasuer, the Lady Panthers last batter, started the rally by reaching on an error, then lead-off hitter Bryanna Davis began the string of hits. Davis was followed with an RBI-single by Lacy Blakney and an infield-single by Chloe Bailey to load the bases. Next, Haley Pannell hit a two-RBI double and the Lady Panthers trailed 5-3.

Lacey Hopkins, who was 3-for-3 at the plate, kept the inning alive with a bloop single to center scoring Bailey. Jacee Hopkins followed with a single to left, which scored Hopkins and knotted the game at 5. Pitcher Jordan Orman, who earned the win, knocked in Hopkins giving the Lady Panthers a 6-5 lead.

"It was big for the girls, to show them what they are capable of, but discouraging in that we don't swing it (the bat) like that all the time," said Shinall. "Wins are wins, though."

The Lady Panther (5-2) defense held the Lady Bearcats in the final two innings to secure the victory. The game ended on a Jacee Hopkins diving catch in center field.

"It's slow-pitch softball," said Lady Bearcat coach Jessica Taylor. "Base hit after base hit, so anybody can beat anybody. You have to make the plays you're supposed to make, and we didn't do that. You have to make the routine plays."

The Lady Panthers lost their second game of the tournament to Pontotoc 17-3. The Walnut Lady Wildcats, who also participated, defeated Tishomingo Co. 2-1 before falling to Alcorn Central 12-1.