By Brandon Sumrall | Special to the Advertiser

Despite cold temperatures that had most in attendance thinking football instead of baseball, the Chilton County Tigers softball team played host to the cross-county rival Jemison Panthers on Friday night.

Facing a 10-2 deficit in the top of the fifth inning, the Panthers rallied, scoring four runs in the fifth inning and one more in the top of the sixth, but the Tigers’ hot bats drove in seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, closing out a 17-7 victory for Chilton.

The Panthers (2-3) got on the scoreboard first in the top of the first when a Brooke Lewis triple drove in Wendy Spigener and Denten Ellison, giving the Panthers an early 2-0 lead.

Kristina Katon would cross the plate for the Tigers on the home side of the first inning to draw the Tigers (2-1) to within one run of the lead.

Kristen Binion would go to work for the Tigers from the mound through the next three innings, shutting out the Panther offense while the Tiger offense continued to hit the ball all over the yard, adding two runs in the second, four runs in the third and three runs in the fourth.

With a comfortable eight-run lead, the Tigers called on Hannah Oaks to take over the pitching duties, but the top of the Panthers’ lineup would provide a much-needed spark, adding four runs and drawing the Panthers to within four, 10-6.

With a three-up, three-down inning for the Tigers in the bottom of the fifth, the Panthers had the momentum going into the top of the sixth inning. With Binion back on the mound for the Tigers in the sixth, the Panthers would manage one more run and draw to within three of the Tigers 10-7.

With three straight walks for the Tigers to start the bottom of the sixth inning, Holly Watts would send a line drive over the left center field wall for a grand slam and a 14-7 Tiger lead.

The Tigers added three more runs in the bottom of the sixth, closing out the Panthers with the mercy rule, 17-7.

Binion pitched 4 2/3 innings with six strikeouts, two walks and two earned runs.

Hannah Jackson went 3-for-5 with a single, double, triple and three runs batted in for the Tigers. Watts was 2-for-5 with a single, grand slam and five RBI.

Brooke Lewis lead the Panthers with a 2-for-4 performance with a single, triple and two RBI.