[4/19/03]BOGUE CHITTO Rebounding from an opening-round setback, the Bogue Chitto Lady Cats came back strong and whipped St. Aloysius 5-0 and 5-3 Saturday to win the second round of the Class 1A-2A state fast-pitch softball playoffs.

Meleah Brown pitched both victories, giving up 12 hits and striking out eight.

The Lady Cats (19-2), avenging Thursday night’s 4-0 defeat at Vicksburg and advanced to the South State finals where they will meet Clarkdale.

St. Aloysius, a team that reached South State a season ago, finished 15-6.

“We hit the ball better today than Thursday and our defense played tough for both games,” Bogue Chitto coach Adriane Albritton said. “Give Meleah Brown credit. She pitched two, very strong complete games for us today.”

The Lady Flashes committed nine errors in the doubleheader, but six came in the first game.

“Today wasn’t our day,” St. Al coach Gene Rogillio said. “We made too many errors and we left runners on base. Our girls played good but we couldn’t get the hits we needed.”

In the opener, Brown fanned three and walked one in tossing a four-hitter. The Lady Cats took a 2-0 lead in the first inning and led 3-0 after the fourth.

Laura Beth Lyons took the loss. She struck out eight and walked one. Sarah Kerut replaced Lyons in the sixth.

Bogue Chitto shortstop Jessica Melton singled and doubled, and Randi Moak singled twice.

Lyons, Kerut, Kelly Haden and Stephanie Evans each singled for St. Al.

Brown was just as effective in the second game, as she struck out five batters, including the final out of the game.

Lyons fanned seven and walked three in the loss.

The Lady Flashes scored twice in the top of the first inning. Bogue Chitto tied the score at 2-2 in the bottom of the first and took a 3-2 lead in the third.

The Lady Cats added two more runs in the fourth.

Melton singled twice and doubled, and Moak doubled and singled.

Haden went 4-for-4, while Kerut and Lyons each had a pair of hits.