BURGAW - The visiting East Columbus Lady Gators jumped to a 2-0 first inning lead Tuesday, but the defending state 1A champion Pender Lady Patriots later tied the score and gained the lead with a sixth inning three-run double by Mallry Phillips that led to a 5-3 victory in the third round of the state 1A softball playoffs.

The loss closed East Columbus season with a 13-8 record. They had fallen to Pender by scores of 5-4 and 3-1 (in nine innings) in Waccamaw 1A-2A Conference play.

Coach Larry Williamson’s ECHSs squad used the hits Caitlyn Lane and Kayla McLean and some strong base running to take their early lead. Lane scored from third, beating a throw to the plate, on a ground ball by Morgan Patrick and McLean scored from third on a throw to second on a stolen base by Patrick. Pender prevented further damage when Patrick was thrown out at the plate following a single by Jessica McPherson.

Pender tied the score with a run in the bottom of the first and run in the third. The score stood tied at 2-2 until the sixth when Pender loaded the bases with two outs and Phillips delivered her base-clearing double.

East Columbus tried to battle back in the top of the seventh when Bri Jacobs led off with a triple and scored on a one-out single by Lane.

Brittney Roper, Pender’s standout pitcher retired two of the next thee batters to garner the win.

East Columbus had eighth hits off Roper,including two each by McLean and Lane.

Pender will play host East Bladen Friday night at 7 in fourth-round action.