The Houston softball team was on the verge of knocking off the top seed in the district Thursday afternoon when inclement weather suspended the game.
With the Lady Tigers leading East Carter 5-2 in the top of the seventh, the game was stopped as heavy rains poured onto Carter Field. With more rain in the forecast Friday, there are no immediate plans to resume the first of two semifinals in Class 2 District 8. Neelyville and Willow Springs were rained out before the game began.
HHS (12-12) established its lead behind a four-run fourth inning that included a two-run home run by sophomore Tommi Franklin. The Lady Tigers had runners on first and third with one out and leadoff hitter Autumn Walker stepping to the plate when the game was suspended.
Franklin, who also homered in Houston’s district-opening victory Wednesday against Liberty, had two hits and scored twice. Stephanie Crewse had a sacrifice fly and stolen base.
Houston senior Kylee Elmore struck out two and walked three through six innings. She allowed seven hits.
After three scoreless innings, Olivia Woosley singled  leading off the fourth to begin a string of five straight hits for HHS. Lizzy Swindell also singled and Woosley sprinted home as Swindell was caught in a rundown between first and second.
Franklin followed with a two-run homer to make it 3-0 and Abbey Slocum singled and scored on Crewse’s sacrifice fly.
East Carter, which stranded seven runners on base, got its first run on Lauren Copeland’s home run to center field in the bottom of the fourth. Two batters later, Chelby Cyr singled home Morgan Tucker to make it 4-2.
Franklin singled with one out in the sixth, stole second and scored via an error to put the Lady Tigers ahead 5-3.
Crewse and Taylor Chipps both walked in the top of the seventh before the game was halted. They will be there with one out with the game resumes.