CRYSTAL SPRINGS — Sierra Bethley, Jaleshia Bethley and Jamecia Starks hit back-to-back-to-back home runs for Franklin County in the top of the seventh inning to lead the Lady Bulldogs past the Crystal Springs Lady Tigers 11-6 Thursday afternoon in an MHSAA Division 7-3A game.

Franklin County went into the seventh inning holding on to a 6-5 lead over Crystal Springs. However, it didn’t take long for the Lady Bulldogs to put some much-needed distance between themselves and the Lady Tigers.

With two runners on, Sierra Bethley hit a three-run home run to make it a 9-5 game. Jaleshia Bethley and Starks, the next two batters in the lineup, followed that up with consecutive solo home runs to give the Lady Bulldogs an 11-5 lead. The Lady Tigers were held to one run in the bottom of the seventh.

But those weren’t the only home runs hit in the game. Macy Brabham started the game with a leadoff home run and, a few batters later, Jaleshia Bethley hit a two-run shot that gave Franklin County an early 3-0 lead.

Crystal Springs countered with one run in the bottom of the first and took its only lead of the game with a three-run rally in the bottom of the third, which was highlighted by Jakayla Arnold’s two-run homer. The Lady Bulldogs responded when Sierra Bethley hit a leadoff home run in the top of the fourth inning to tie the game at 4-4.

Both teams scored one run in the fifth inning and Franklin County took the lead for good with one run in the top of the sixth. Sierra Bethley went 3-for-4, Brabahm was 2-for-3, and both Jaleshia Bethley and Hayle McKinney were 2-for-4.

Franklin County (4-11, 1-1) plays again at 7 p.m. Tuesday for a home game against Division 7-3A newcomer Wesson.