MCCOMB — The Franklin County Lady Bulldogs were looking to carry momentum as well as a four-game winning streak into the playoffs with a win Thursday afternoon against the McComb Lady Tigers.

After the two teams battled to a stalemate through seven innings, Franklin County’s Emily Smith singled in Jamecia Starks with what proved to be the game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning as the Lady Bulldogs defeated the Lady Tigers 3-2.

Starks led off with a single and was awarded second base because of interference by McComb’s first baseman. Taylor McKinney flew out, and Starks advanced to third and then scored on Smith’s base hit.

Winning pitcher Shelly Case preserved the win by retiring the side in the bottom of the eighth. Case allowed two earned runs on six hits and three walks with two strikeouts. She also had a key hit in the game as her one-out, single in the top of the sixth inning drove in Sierra Bethley, who led off the frame with a double that gave Franklin County a 2-1 lead.

Franklin County (8-16) will be on the road for the first round of the MHSAA Class 3A South State Playoffs at Perry Central. Game 1 will be at 5 p.m., followed by Game 2 at 6:30 p.m. and, if necessary, Game 3 at 8 p.m.