BROOKHAVEN — Bad luck and injuries ended the Franklin County Dixie Belles run Monday afternoon, as Wayne County eliminated Franklin County 5-0 in the Dixie Youth fast-pitch State Tournament at the Brookhaven Sports Complex.

Franklin County, coached by Pam Rushing, Christi Thornton and Melissa Crosby, finished fifth in the state for the 13-15-year-old division.

“Our girls played hard, but in the end we just couldn’t hit the ball,” Rushing said.

One hit was all Franklin County could muster against Wayne County. FC plated seven hits in three games for the tournament.

“Losing is tough, I thought we were going to pull this one out but my pitcher, Heidi Thornton, suffered an injury in the game and that really hurt us in the end,” Rushing said.

Thornton, the Belles ace pitcher, kept Wayne County honest for three innings, until a bloop single plated two runs for the visitors in the fourth.

Thornton, who struck out five batters before being hit by a line drive three pitches later, ended her day on the mound and Franklin’s comeback hopes as well.

“The momentum really changed after she got hit by that ball,” Rushing said. “We just seemed out of it after that.”

Thornton was sent to Kings Daughters Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a hairline fracture to her chin and cheek bone.

FC was already without the services of speedy outfielder Allison Hauer, who suffered a sprang ankle in the FC Belles 7-3 victory over Magee Sunday night.

“Injuries really hurt us,” Rushing said. “It seemed once we started to get something going, something happened to us.”

Shelby Lofton’s single in the first inning provided the Belles’ only hit in the contest. The Belles got defensive support from catcher Courtney Reid, second baseman Karlee Mullins and shortstop/third baseman KeKe Collins throughout the 7-inning contest.

Reid picked off two Wayne County base runners, while Mullins and Collins kept Franklin County in the game by controlling the infield with their quickness.

“It just wasn’t our day,” Rushing said. “We played good defense, but we struggled hitting the ball the entire tournament. We have to hit to score runs.”

Wayne County pitcher Paxton Luke collected the win, striking out four batters and walking one. Lakyn Crane led Wayne County offensively with two singles and a double. Brooke Brewer added two singles.