Shelbyville Central scored all they needed early in their 3-2 win over Lincoln County in their opening round game of the District 8-AAA tournament in Columbia on Saturday afternoon.

"This was a big win," Eaglette coach Robin Ayers said. "Lincoln County beat us toward the end of the regular season and they had also upset some other teams of late so they were really a tough draw in the opening round.

"I was pleased with our focus despite have the game postponed Friday night."

The game was originally scheduled for Friday night but a thunderstorm moved in during the pregame warmup and both teams were ordered to clear the field. Approximately an hour later, the game was postponed.

The Eaglettes now face Coffee County tonight at 7 in the winners' bracket.

Coffee County entered this tournament as one of hottest teams in the district, including a pair of late-season victories over Shelbyville.

"Coffee County has really been playing well," Ayers said. "They're playing their best at the right time. We'll just have to wait and see if they're able to bring that into the tournament. We're really going to have to be ready to play well."

Shelbyville struck first, scoring a run in the first inning. Kayla Warren reached base on an error then scored off a double by shortstop Shelby Lamb.

Central added a pair of runs in the second when outfielder Cara Fite smashed a two-run home run over the fence to make the score 3-0 after Abbi Foster singled.

Lincoln County scored in the third and fourth innings, but Samantha Dye and the Eaglette defense held on from there.

"Both teams let some scoring opportunities slip away in the game, but it's really nice to remain in the winner's bracket," Ayers said. "We hit some hard shots a few innings after we scored, but I guess we just weren't as patient as we needed to be the way we were at the beginning of the game."

Shelbyville had five hits with Fite leading the way with her home run and single. Lamb ripped a pair of doubles.