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

And that’s why Thursday’s series-opening doubleheader is the “Sonic Big Game of the Week” in the “Southern Six” as sponsored by Sonic Drive In of South Mississippi.
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 Hornets and Lady Bulldogs will kick things off Thursday afternoon at 5 p.m. followed by the Lady Rebels and Lady Hawks at 7. Then, on Friday for game two, the times will flip as GCHS-Hancock will be at 5 and ECHS-Vancleaved will start at 7.
A third and final game, if needed, would take place Saturday afternoon with Class 5A at 1 p.m., and Class 6A at 3 p.m., if two games are needed or if only one game is needed then it would take place at 1 p.m.
The changes to the one main site were because of the torrential rainstorms that pelted South Mississippi overnight Tuesday. The playing surface at Perk is artificial turf.
The survivors of both series will head to Hattiesburg early next week for the state championship match-ups that will start on Tuesday.
Both Hancock and East Central are trying to get back to the state championship round for the second straight season, after each fell in two games last year. George County is looking for its first trip to Hattiesburg in two seasons, after winning the Class 5A state title two years ago.

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. 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.
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 7-2 and 10-1. George County stands 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 the Region 4-6A after sweeping Hancock in the regular season.

Sonic Drive In of South Mississippi has long been a staunch supporter of prep sports in the “Southern Six” and all across the Southeast. The Sonic located at 971 E. Frontage Rd., in Wiggins is your best bet for all of your pre-game and post-game meals over the next few days.