SOUTH MISS 6 SPORTS

May 10, 2024

Prep Softball: Hancock strikes first blow in Class 6A South State heavyweight battle with George County

Hancock pitcher Teegan Dewitt lets fly with a throw vs. George County Thursday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

LUCEDALE — Hancock struck the first blow in the much-anticipated Class 6A South State championship series against George County Thursday night.

The visiting Lady Hawks slipped a run across in the bottom of the fifth frame to break a 2-2 tie and nip the Lady Rebels 3-2 in game one of the best of three series. Game two is set for Friday night in the Kiln

With the game knotted up in that aforementioned 2-2 stand off, Chaley Peterson lofted a run-scoring sacrifice fly to left field that brought home Cambria Necaise with what would prove to be the game-winning run.

Hancock base runner Abigail Carver slides into second base as George County infielder Blakely Slay applies the tag Thursday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

George County pitcher Peyton Collins lets loose with a pitch vs. Hancock Thursday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Hancock infielder Aubrie Martin makes a play defensively vs. George County Thursday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Hancock took a 2-0 lead after the top of the third by tallying a run apiece in the first and third frames. Teegan Dewitt, also the winning pitcher, produced an RBI-single in the third at bat of the game for Hancock to make it 1-0 in the top of the first. The hit scored Abigail Carver, who walked to lead off the game.

Two innings later, Dewitt was at it again, as she cracked a two-out RBI-double to center that plated Necaise to make it 2-0.

That two run advantage would be short-lived however, as the home team bounced right back in the bottom of the third with two runs to knot things up.

Jordyn Bradley led the frame off with a solo home run to left field to cut the deficit in half, and Hadleigh Tatum delivered a run-scoring triple three batters later that plated Aryana Dixon to tie the game up and set the stage for the climactic fifth frame.

George County’s Jordyn Bradley connects on a bunt attempt vs. Hancock Thursday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

Hancock outfielder Cambria Necaise settles under a fly ball vs. George County Thursday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

George County outfielder Aryana Dixon makes a relay throw vs. Hancock Thursday night. (Photo by Bobby McDuffie)

The three runs would prove to be all Dewitt would need in the circle, as she went the distance in earning the win striking out 12 and allowing six hits while walking just two.

Dewitt and Necaise had a pair of hits apiece to pace HHS at the plate, while Dewitt and Taylor Dunbar each had a double in the winning effort.

Bradley had two hits for GCHS, including that home run, and Tatum had her double.

Peyton Collins also threw a complete game in taking the loss for the Lady Rebels.

A trip to the overall Class 6A State Championship round is on the line in this match-up. The two teams split a pair of games in Region 4-6A play during the regular season.