Diamond Girls' Baleigh Conner tags out Stingers' Caden White at the plate during Friday night's action of the State Games of Mississippi at the Northeast Softball complex.

In a game that saw runs score nearly every half inning, it was a seven-run top of the third that was the difference for the Diamond Girls as they topped the Stingers 13-8 Friday evening in the State Games 8-under slow-pitch softball tournament.

After holding the Stingers scoreless in the bottom of the second inning, the Diamond Girls took a 5-4 advantage into the top of the third and added to the lead significantly. China William got things started with an RBI single that scored a run, and a triple by Reagan Hester sent home Williams.

From there, Hester was able to come home on an error, and Dixie Clayton also scored on an error. Mallory Goodman scored on a fielder’s choice, and Baleigh Conner smacked a two-run inside-the-park home run to complete the scoring for the Diamond Girls.

“All the girls had a good time,” Diamond Girls head coach Kelvin Jackson said. “It’s a great opportunity for the youth in this community to participate in an event like this, and we’re all here to have fun, and we all did that.”

Clayton and Goodman both scored on an error in the top of the first inning to give the Diamond Girls an early 2-0 lead, but the Stingers struck back with four runs of their own in the bottom half of the frame. An RBI single by Amyiah Pearson scored Ella Grace Baird and Caden White, and another single by Emmalee McKee platd Elizabeth Shirley and Parker Kennedy.

In the top of the second inning, an inside-the-park home run by Taylor Ruffin also drove in Mary Katheryn McCay, and Goodman later scored on a fielder’s choice to make it 5-4 Diamond Girls.

The only scoreless frame came in the bottom of the third, thanks in part to a double play by Conner, who caught a popup at the pitcher’s position and turned to get the runner out at second.

“She’s really contributed,” Jackson said. “She’s a ball player, and we appreciate the contributions she makes, as well as everyone else’s contributions. Everyone fits their niche.”

After the Diamond Girls’ big inning in the top of the third, the Stingers were able cut their lead to 12-6 when Shirley and Pearson scored on an error and fielder’s choice, respectively. In the top of the fourth, the Diamond Girls scored their final run on a fielder’s choice.

The Stingers played two more runs when Baird and Lamiya Lockhart scored on fielder’s choices. After the inning was over, the game was called due to the hour time limit.

Despite the loss, Stingers coach Kavondra McCauley said she was pleased with her team’s effort.

“It was a good game,” McCauley said said. “They played at a good speed for 8 and under. They’re just now learning, so hey, good game.”