BY SAMUEL JONES
FOR THE OBSERVER
SMITHS STATION — Smiths Station defeated Beauregard 5–4 in an extra-inning battle Monday night, ending the game with a walk-off single in the bottom of the eighth inning.
With the score tied at four, second baseman Chloe Johnson delivered the game-winning hit, driving in catcher Serenity Corley, who reached earlier in the inning, to secure the victory for the Panthers.
Smiths Station responded quickly after Beauregard opened the scoring in the first inning. Lady Panthers second baseman Brooke Norred drove in a run on a groundout, and left fielder Korbyn Missildine followed with a two-run single, giving the Panthers a 3–1 lead by the end of the inning.
The Panthers added another run in the third when Johnson doubled down the right field line, helping extend the lead to 4–1.
Smiths Station continued to produce offensively throughout the game, collecting hits across the lineup. Libby Parkman led the way at the top of the order with multiple hits, while Johnson finished 3-for-5 with two RBIs, including the walk-off.
Beauregard battled back behind a strong performance from Lindsey Moulton, who went 3-for-4 with a triple, single and a solo home run in the sixth inning that tied the game at 4–4.
The Hornets created additional opportunities with disciplined plate appearances and aggressive baserunning, but were unable to capitalize in the later innings.
After Beauregard was held scoreless in the top of the eighth, Smiths Station took advantage in the bottom half. Corley reached base earlier in the inning and later scored on Johnson’s walk-off single, sealing the 5–4 win.
Smiths Station improves to 13–8 on the season and traveled to Beulah on Wednesday to face the Lady Bobcats at 3:30 p.m. Beauregard, meanwhile, also traveled to Beulah on Tuesday for a 4:30 p.m. matchup. Scores of those two games were not avaiable as of press time.
