By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

PERKINSTON — There’s a new site for the pair of all “Southern Six” match-ups in the state softball playoffs this week.

Both the Class 6A South State championship series between Hancock and George County and the Class 5A South State title tilt between East Central and Vancleave will now be contested here at home of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College softball squad due to weather related issues.

The Lady Rebels and Lady Hawks kick things off Wednesday afternoon at 5 p.m. followed by the Lady Hornets and Lady Bulldogs at 7. Then, on Thursday for game two, the times will flip as Vancleave-ECHS will be at 5 and HHS-GCHS will start at 7.

The changes were because of the torrential rainstorms that pelted South Mississippi overnight Tuesday. The playing surface at Perk is artificial turf.

In Class 5A, Vancleave swept Florence in two straight games last week and will have almost a week off when that series starts. The Lady Bulldogs may well be the surprise of the state playoffs after finishing as the fourth seed in Region 4-5A, three spots behind league champ East Central. However, VHS has won four straight playoff games.

Vancleave is 15-17 overall. Brooklyn Howard hurled a three-hit, shutout in the series finale against Florence to wrap it up. Brianna Webster had two hits for the Lady Bulldogs, while both Howard and Carly Wyatt dove in a run each.

The Lady Hornets are 26-6 overall and survived the second round with a 4-1 win at home in game three with North Pike Monday at home.

Abby Danis picked up the win in the circle with a complete game effort, striking out 10 and allowing five hits.

Lizzy Kennedy smacked a solo home run for the Lady Hornets, and ECHS scored three runs in the first frame to take quick control of the contest thanks to her blast a big two-run fielding error by the Lady Jaguars. Chloe Sheppard had two hits to lead the Lady Hornets.

East Central is looking to get back to the Class 5A state championship round for the second straight season.

East Central swept Vancleave 11-2 and 4-1 during regular season play.

Both George County and Hancock swept their second round series.

The Lady Rebels knocked off fellow Region 4-6A foe West Harrison 7-2 and 10-1. George County tands an impressive 29-2 on the season.

Hancock, meanwhile, is 22-4 overall and coming off a 10-3 and 5-0 sweep of PRC.

George County won Region 4-6A after sweeping Hancock in the regular season.