The Stigler Lady Panthers held off a late rally from the Eufaula Lady Ironheads to claim a thrilling 4-3 victory Tuesday night.

Stigler wasted no time getting on the board in the opening frame. Nolee Blanchett ripped a single to center field, followed by a patient walk from Addy Wallis, each pushing across a run to give the Lady Panthers the early edge.

In the circle, Stigler ace Lexi Kates kept Eufaula’s bats in check. The right-hander battled through six gritty innings, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out seven. She also matched her determination with control under pressure, walking seven but stranding runners in key moments.

Eufaula’s Leah Green turned in a strong performance of her own despite taking the loss. Green pitched six innings, allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits while striking out six. She also sparked the Ironhead offense, going 1-for-3 with two RBIs to keep her team within striking distance.

Rayleigh Peterson was a spark at the top of Eufaula’s lineup, going 2-for-4, while Abby Box drew two walks to help fuel the late-game push. The Ironheads showed tremendous plate discipline as a unit, drawing seven free passes on the night.

For Stigler, Keeli Adams and Payton Mecom both collected two hits apiece, with Adams, Blanchett, and Wallis each driving in a run. Mecom added some electricity on the base paths, swiping three bases to keep the pressure on Eufaula’s defense.

The Lady Ironheads fought to the final out but couldn’t quite overcome Stigler’s early momentum. The onerun battle showed grit from both sides and set the tone for an exciting stretch of games ahead.