February 20, 2009

Lady Tide opens season with 9-2 win over Columbia

by Carey Meitzler

Carriere--The Lady Tide opened their season with a 9-2 victory over Columbia in the first game of the Pearl River Central Classic

Tournament.

After southpaw pitcher Jessie Frierson retired Columbia in order in the top of the first inning, Picayune scored three runs in the

bottom of the first inning.  Mallorie Mixon singled sharply to left field and Taylor Seals reached on an infield single.  After a strikeout,

Brandi Rabion walked to load the bases.  Senior Tiffany Reed laced a triple just inside the right field foul line (it's actually a fair line

when you think about it) scoring all three base runners.

Photo by John Young

Tiffany Reed watches her triple sailed toward right field in the bottom of the first inning.

Picayune added a single run in the second when Mixon walked, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on Hillary Dickens

single to left field.   The Lady Tide got two more runs in the fifth when Rabion walked and Reed followed with a double to right

field.   A wild pitch allowed Rabion to score and when the throw from the catcher got past the Columbia pitcher at home plate,

Reed motored home as well for a 6-0 lead.  Picayune added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth when Dickens reached

on an infield single with two outs.  Natassia Poole replaced Dickens as a pinch runner and scored on a single to left by Rabion. 

Reed followed with a walk and both base runners scored when Columbia's right fielder misplayed Katie Kent fly ball.

Frierson, a sophomore, fanned nine batters and allowed three hits in going the distance in the circle for Picayune (1-0).

Photo by John Young

Jessie Frierson gets ready to delivering a pitch against Columbia.

Picayune will play Our Lady Academy at 10:00am and Wayne County at 12:00 pm on Saturday at the Pearl River Central Sports

Complex.