MCCOMB — Mildred Starks pitched a complete-game shutout and Franklin County used a five-run rally in the top of the third inning to open up a close game as the Lady Bulldogs defeated McComb 8-0 Monday night.

Starks limited the Lady Tigers just six hits while walking two batters. The defense behind her had one of its best outings of the 2010 season as it had only three errors.

“Our defense did well again. Mildred’s a consistent pitcher. She’s consistent just about anytime you get her there,” Franklin County head coach Dana Smith said.

For the most part, Class 5A McComb held its own against a good Franklin County team. But it took just one inning for the Lady Bulldogs to put the hits together and that turned out to be the difference in this match-up.

Franklin County was only ahead 1-0 and needed to give Starks some much-needed run support. That happened in the top of the third inning. Lay Lay Griffin drove in one run with a single, which was followed by an RBI single by KeKe Collins. Destiney Dedeaux had the big blow with a two-run double and she scored on an RBI single from Emily Cothren.

That gave the Lady Bulldogs a 6-0 lead and they added two more runs in the top of the seventh inning.

Dedeaux led Franklin County’s 18-hit barrage by going 3-for-4 while Starks and Cothren each went 2-for-4. Griffin was 2-for-2 and Kenyatta Hunt was 2-for-3.

“We hit the ball better. Our bats are coming around,” Smith said. “I’ve got a bunch of determined girls who work for everything they’ve got.”

Franklin County (5-2) hosts Brookhaven today with the junior varsity game at 5:30 p.m. and the varsity game at 7 p.m. These two teams were originally scheduled to play each other two weeks ago, but the junior varsity and varsity games were postponed due to inclement weather.