COURTLAND—Powhatan scored seven runs in the top of the ninth to break a tie and defeat Southampton High School 8-1 to claim first place in the Southside District.

The teams were both 3-0 in the district going into the game.

“It previewed to be a classic match-up, and it did not disappoint in another 9-inning thriller for the Southampton Indians,” said Coach Susan Melbye.

At the end of seven innings, the game was tied 1-1.

For the first eight innings, Southampton’s Ashlee Buehner scattered six hits and gave up two walks. She did not allow a Powhatan runner past second base until the sixth inning.

Southampton had four base runners on three hits and a walk.

Lady Indian Emily Nelson drew a one-out walk and stole second base, putting herself in scoring position. After a strikeout, senior Megan Revelle ripped a two-out double, plating Nelson and staking the home team to a 1-0 lead early in the game.

The Lady Indians squandered an opportunity in the fourth inning with a base running gaffe. Revelle led off with a triple. Ashlee Buehner followed with a sharp ground ball to deep short, and Revelle took off for home, but was tagged out.

On the play, Buehner advanced to third, however an infield putout and a fly-out to right field ended the Southampton threat in the fourth.

The Southampton lead held until the top of the sixth when Powhatan struck back. After getting the leadoff hitter to ground out, Buehner gave up her only back-to-back hits of the first eight innings, a single and double that tied the game at 1.

Southampton went down in order in the sixth, seventh and eighth, while Powhatan put a base runner on in the seventh and eighth through walks, but were not able to advance the base runners.

Things changed in the ninth when Southampton committed three errors and two walks for seven Powhatan runs. The Lady Indians went down in order in the bottom of the ninth.

Southampton is 5-1 on the season and 3-1 in the district.

Thursday the Lady Indians will travel to Park View with a first pitch at 5:30 and host Windsor on Friday with a 4:30 p.m. first pitch.