ISABELLA – Verbena High School eighth grader Chanin Hancock fanned eight Isabella High School batters on an overcast Monday afternoon as the Lady Devils defeated the Lady Mustangs, 7-4, in the last regular season game for both teams.

IHS let students out early to watch the game, and they turned out in droves. All ages surrounded the field to watch their home team close its season just before the beginning of upcoming area tournaments.

VHS hit for seven runs in the first two innings to open up a lead that the Mustangs couldn’t quite catch.

IHS senior Dezaray Lodge drove in Melony Smith to spark a rally that came up just short. Sarah Wooldridge also scored on a wild pitch to cut the lead to five runs.

Kinslee Mims touched home plate on a Taylor Chandler sacrifice groundout, and Kristen Adams drove home Lodge to bring her team within three runs.

But VHS’s insurance runs came through, as Hancock’s steady pitching completed the game. Brandy Driver and Ashlie Shiers, among others, scored runs for VHS.

Isabella (4-14) will begin its area tournament at Thorsby High School on Thursday.

Verbena (3-14) will play for the area at Maplesville High School starting on Friday.