The Dallas County High School softball team faced a familiar opponent Wednesday afternoon in the area tournament held at Bibb County High School. The circumstances, however, were new.

With the game tied at four runs each, Dallas County pitcher Jessica Melton and the Lady Hornet defense gave up a four-run sixth that pushed Jemison up 8-4, en route to an 8-5 victory.

The 15-14 Lady Hornets suffered a setback before the start of the game.

Jennifer McIlwaine was unable to play

shortstop after breaking her index finger in Tuesday’s game against Greensboro.

The result was a new-look infield. Rachel Coley moved from third to short. Amy Wilson moved to third and then Emily Poe came in to play first.

Offensively, though DCHS jumped out to an early 3-2 lead and then battled back to tie it at 4-4 through five inn ings.

Melton finished the game 3-for-4 with an RBI, while Wilson finished 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI’s. Cherie Lane and Tiffany Ingram both finished the day 2-4 with one RBI a piece.

The loss ends Dallas County’s season and guarantees Jemison a slot in the sub-regional.

Weatherford is excited about who he has returning. DC will lose only one player this year that’s their Lane.