The Spalding High Lady Jaguars softball team got behind early, made a comeback, but eventually fell short and lost its home opener 11-2 to the Jackson High Lady Devils in non-region action Thursday at Spalding High.

It’s the third loss in a row for Spalding, now 2-4 overall.

The Lady Devils (5-2) dented the scoreboard first, scoring two runs in the first inning, one in the second and two more in the third to bolt to a 5-0 lead off Spalding pitcher Jessica Bunn. Spalding made a valiant effort in the bottom of the fourth to climb back in the game. Lady Jags third baseman Toni Willis singled to center, but she hurt her knee as she crossed first base and teammate D’Shayla Morgan entered the game to run for her.

Spalding first baseman Haedyn Kilgore then laced a triple down the right field line, scoring Morgan to cut Jackson’s lead to 5-1. Second baseman Lora Rape singled home Kilgore and Spalding trailed 5-2. But that was as close as the Lady Jags would get — Jackson scored six runs in the top of the fifth to break the game open at 11-2.

Spalding failed to score in the bottom of the fifth and the game was called due to the 8-runs-after-five-innings mercy rule. The Lady Jags’ next game is their Region 4-AAAA opener next Tuesday at home against the Dutchtown Lady Bulldogs. Game time is set for 5:30 p.m.

SPALDING HIGH

Date| Opponent |Time

8/10 |Fayette Co. # |W 4-3

8/10 |Newton Co. # |L 12-3

8/11 |E. Landing # |W 12-4

8/11 |Luella # |L 11-4

8/14 |@ Fayette Co. |L 13-1

8/16 |Jackson |L 11-2

8/21 |Dutchtown* |5:30

8/22 |@ Lamar Co. |4:30

8/28 |Jonesboro* |5:30

8/30 |Stockbridge* |5:30

9/5 |@ Upson-Lee* |5:30

9/6 |@ E. Landing* |5:30

9/11 |Woodland* |5:30

9/13 |@ L. Grove* |5:30

9/18 |@ Griffin* |5:30

9/20 |@ N. Clayton* |5:30

9/24 |Lamar Co. |4:30

9/25 |Riverdale* |5:30

10/1-4 |Region Tourn. |TBA

10/10-11 |1st Rd State |TBA

# — Diamond Classic

* — Region 4-AAAA Games