The Lady Diamonds, who had posted an 8-4 triumph at Stilwell the day before, slipped to 1-1 on the young season as Poteau broke open a close game by the scoring nine runs in the final three innings on Tuesday afternoon.
Poteau (1-0) rode the pitching of Breanna Benson and the hitting of Brandy Davis to get the win.
Benson struck out six batters, walked two and scattered six hits over seven full innings of work. Davis, the Lady Pirates' catcher, drove in three runs and was one of four Poteau players to collect two hits.
Sallisaw starting pitcher Amy Smith didn't allow a base runner until the third inning, when Poteau took advantage of two throwing errors and a pair of walks to grab a 3-0 lead.
The Lady Diamonds put at least one runner on base in every inning except the sixth, but were mostly unable to cash in on their opportunities. Poteau twice turned double plays to get out of innings and catcher Davis threw several runners out.
An RBI-double from Davis ignited a three-run inning in the top of the fifth for Poteau as the visitors extended their lead to 6-0.
Sallisaw got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth. Shelby Morgan looped a one-out single past first base and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Lyndsey Daggs. Outfielder Erin Cox followed with an RBI-triple to deep right-center, driving in Morgan to cut the gap to 6-1.
Poteau got the run back in the top of the sixth and then scored four more times in the seventh to seal the victory.
Senior first baseman Molly Hadley paced Sallisaw at the plate, batting 2-for-3. Courtney Crooks, Morgan, Cox and Heather McCawley all had one hit apiece.
Cox also turned in a good defensive play, fielding a fly ball in right field and throwing out a Poteau runner at home plate.
Smith was the losing pitcher. She dropped to 1-1 after striking out five, walking four and allowing six hits in four and two-thirds innings. Daggs came on in relief in the fifth inning and struck out one, walked three and gave up five hits.
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