Southeast Lauderdale’s offense wasn’t overpowering in Saturday’s MHS Fast-Pitch Festival opener.

    But the Tigers were efficient, edging Quitman 6-4 at Northeast Park on just four hits.

    “That was a big win for us because we haven’t beaten Quitman in a few years,” Southeast coach Mack Fanning said.

    That opportunistic nature surfaced all three times Southeast scored, including the four-run sixth that clinched the win. After back-to-back singles from Charaie Harbin and Miranda Chatham to open the frame, Southeast used a Quitman error on a Baleigh Booker ground ball with one out to push its lead to 4-1. Denisha Knight then followed with a two-run home run.

    “That allowed to let us to have some room to breathe, which turned out to be big,” Fanning said.

    That allowed Southeast to withstand a Panther rally in the bottom half of the frame. Down to their final at-bat with a time limit closing in, Tori Dew doubled with one out and courtesy runner Annie Cooks then scored on Mallory Lee’s two-out double. Chequira Bonner followed with a single and a stolen base. Both runners then scored on a Glendella Odom single. However, Southeast pitcher Lauren Yeager then retired Breana McCree to end it.

    Southeast added solo runs in the second and third, each time using Quitman miscues to score. A passed ball and an error in the second allowed Southeast to grab a 1-0 lead on a Chatham groundout. An inning later, Nancy Williams reached with two outs on a three-base error. She later scored on a wild pitch.

    All four of Southeast’s hits came in the sixth, as the Tigers managed just five walks and one hit batter against Abigail Toomey prior to that.

SE Lauderdale    16

Starkville    1

    The Tigers scored 10 runs in the second inning to rout the Yellowjackets. Southeast also scored three runs in the first, two in the fourth and one in the fifth.

    Bri Roulier, Charaie Harbin and Tamara Trussell all had two hits to lead Southeast. Roulier also earned the win, allowing just two hits while striking out five.