By TRIPP NORRIS

Opp’s Lady Bobcats fell to Wicksburg in their opening game of the 3A Softball South Regional yesterday in Gulf Shores, but hung on in the losers’ bracket, defeating T.R. Miller and shutting out Cottage Hill to stay alive.

The Lady Bobcats sent T.R. Miller home with a 2-1 win.

Opp got on the board with a two out hit that scored the first run of the game for a 1-0 lead.

Two innings later, Opp struck again in the fifth. The Bobcats pushed across a run on the Tigers’ only error for a 2-0 lead. Then another two out hit put Opp ahead 3-0 with just two innings to go.

Miller’s only run came in the top of the seventh. The Bobcats held the Tigers to just one run and took the win 3-1.

Loryn Praytor and Ariyon Hightower were both 2 for 3 to lead the Bobcats. Morgan Pierce was 1 for 2, scoring two of Opp’s three runs. Graceanne Spears was 1 for 2, driving in a run and also getting the win in the circle going all seven innings striking out four.

Opp shut out Cottage Hill, 8-0, last night.

Opp struck for two in the first inning for a 2-0 lead before the Warriors had their first run at bat. The Bobcats added another run for a 3-0 lead that they enjoyed for two innings. Opp plated two runs in back-to-back innings that put the game out of reach with the Bobcats ahead 7-0. In the final inning Opp added one last run before retiring the Warriors in order in the bottom of the seventh for an 8-0 win.

Maggie Short led the Bobcats going 4 for 5 with three singles, a double, RBI, and three runs scored. Spears was 3 for 5 with 2 singles, a double, and three runs scored. Hightower was 2 for 4 with a single, double, two RBI, and a run scored. Praytor went 2 for 4 with two singles and an RBI. Spears pitched her second straight complete game, going seven shutout innings and striking out five.