The Whitewright Lady Tigers  (18-6, 13-1) scored five runs in the fifth inning to put away Blue Ridge 7-3 in the final regularly scheduled softball game for District 13-2A.  The victory leaves Whitewright and Howe with identical 13-1 district records, so the championship will be determined by a playoff game to be held in Tom Bean at 5:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon.

Against Blue Ridge, the Whitewright girls scored in the bottom of the first frame and again in the third inning to lead 2-0.  Whitewright sent five runners home in the bottom of the fifth to distance Blue Ridge, althought the visitors fought back by scoring three runs in the top of the sixth.

Shalonda Arterberry and Linsey Kaczor each had two hits to lead the Whitewright offense.  Kendra Franklin, Afton Robinson, Brittani Brown, Stephanie Nelson and Erica Vickers all contributed one hit apiece.  Arterberry and Franklin both knocked in two runs and Arterberry was credited with three stolen bases in the contest.

Franklin improved her district record to 10-1 by limiting Blue Ridge to five hits over seven innings.  That will leave Whitewright's Afton Robinson fresh for the critical rematch with Howe on Friday.