Prep Softball: George County still in search of back-to-back trips to the state championship
George County infielder Blakely Slay tags West Harrison base runner Abbie Hancock Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass)
By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director
LUCEDALE — George County is still alive and well in its chase of a second straight state title.
The Lady Rebels swept West Harrison in two straight games over the weekend in the Class 6A South State semifinals to survive and advance. George County, the defending Class 5A state champs, is 23-5 overall and now moves on to face Hancock in the South State finals beginning Thursday at home.
The Lady Rebels took an exciting and close 3-2 win from West Harrison on Friday at home in eight innings before hitting the road and blowing the Lady Hurricanes away 7-1 on Saturday to wrap up the affair.
West Harrison infielder Abbie Hancock lets fly with a throw toward first base vs. George County Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass)George County batter Natalie Jones ducks to avoid a wild pitch vs. West Harrison Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass)George County base runner Aryana Dixon crosses home plate after a wild pitch vs. West Harrison Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass) George County base runner Aryana Dixon crosses home plate after a wild pitch as West Harrison pitcher A.J. Miller reaches for the throw Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass) George County batter Alexis O’Neal takes aim on a pitch vs. West Harrison Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass)
In the second game, Hadleigh Tatum had three hits, including a triple and a double, and a game-high four RBIs to pace GCHS at the plate while Aryana Dixon also had three hits in the game-winning 12-hit attack. Natalie Jones had two hits while Blakely Slay and Kyleigh Howell each drove in a run apiece for the Lady Rebels.
Jaylin Jones had a pair of hits to lead West Harrison, and she also drove in the only run in the game for the Lady Hurricanes.
Addison Davis picked up the pitching win, while A.J. Miller took the loss.
West Harrison outfielder Jaylin Jones stretches out for a hit vs. George County Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass) George County batter Natalie Jones makes contact with a pitch vs. West Harrison Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass) West Harrison first baseman Miranda Parker reaches out for a throw vs. George County Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass) George County batter Hadleigh Tatum fouls off a pitch vs. West Harrison Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass) West Harrison outfielder Jaylin Jones watches a long fly ball vs. George County Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass) George County outfielder Jordyn Bradley settles under a fly ball vs. West Harrison Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass)
On Friday night, in game one, George County led 2-0 for most of the game before West Harrison rallied with a run apiece in each of the top of the sixth and seventh stanzas to tie things up and send the game into the extra session.
In the bottom of the eighth, freshman Alexis O’Neal singled home the walk-off, game-winning run with two outs to secure the win in the series opener.
O’Neal had a game-high three hits and two RBIs to lead GCHS offensively, while Dixon and Tatum each had a double apiece. Dixon and Baylee Bishop chipped in two hits apiece in the winning effort.
Kolby Peterson had two hits for West Harrison, including a double, and Abbie Hancock also had a pair of hits. Peterson and Rayleigh Necaise each drove in a run for the Lady Hurricanes.
Davis again earned the win, with two frames of work in relief of Peyton Collins who hurled the first six stanzas.
A.J. Miller went the distance for WHHS and suffered the loss.
George County base runner Braylee Bishop slides under the tag of West Harrison infielder Abbie Hancock Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass) WEst Harrison infielder Rylee Necaise settles under a pop up Friday night vs. George County. (Photo by Kerry Bass) George County batter Aryana Dixon offers up a bunt vs. West Harrison Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass) George County outfielder Hadleigh Tatum reacts with her teammate Blakely Slay after recording an out vs. West Harrison Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass) West Harrison base runner Jaylin Jones crosses first base as George County infielder Tristin Finch stretches out for the throw Friday night. (Photo by Kerry Bass)
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