Senior Bayleigh Pipkins is shown making a throw to the plate in the Lady Bulldogs’ game against Greene County last week.
Photo by Dee Shows – Special to the Dispatch
By DYLAN JONES
Dispatch Sportswriter
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Perry Central High School’s baseball and softball squads continued to earn experience against some tough teams over the past week.
The baseball team would have back-to-back meetings with Lumberton on Thursday and Friday, both of which the team would lose by scores of 6-4 and 10-6. In the first game, the Bulldogs would lead the game early on, but allow things to get away from them in the bottom of the sixth after three runs sparked Lumberton to pull away. Pitcher AJ Sparks was 2-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs and would also strike out nine in a strong showing on the mound. Right fielder Brett Robnett went 1-for-2 with a walk and also scored twice.
On Saturday, the team headed to Hattiesburg to face Sacred Heart, dropping the game by an 8-4 margin. First baseman Austin Parker posted two RBIs, and Sparks, who was behind the plate, would have an RBI as well.
Perry Central will head to Northeast Jones for tournament play on Saturday and then host Collins on Monday.
Softball is experiencing the same hiccups early in the season as well. The team experienced tough losses to 4A schools Greene County and Sumrall. Against Greene County, pitcher Bayleigh Pipkins and second baseman Kristen Dement would drive in the team’s only runs of the game, with an RBI apiece. Shortstop Hannah Parker and Pipkins crossed the plate for the Lady Bulldogs.
Against Sumrall, the girls would fair better defensively in an overall stronger effort, but would fell to the Lady Bobcats13-1. Parker was 1-for-2 at the plate and scored the team’s only run on a ground ball hit by Dement.
The PCHS girls will face Pearl River Central on Saturday and head to Collins for a doubleheader on Tuesday.
