Prep Softball: Lady Hornets headed to Hattiesburg after thrilling 3-2 win over arch-rival Vancleave
East Central batter Chloe Sheppard makes contact with a pitch vs. Vancleave Monday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director
PERKINSTON — For the fourth time in the past five seasons, East Central is headed to the Class 5A state softball championships.
The Lady Hornets pulled off a 3-2 walk-off win over longtime arch-rival Vancleave in game three of their Class 5A South State championship series Monday afternoon. The decision, coming here on the campus of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, not only moves East Central to 28-7 overall but more importantly into the state title round against Lafayette.
Vancleave batter Bailey Ross offers up a bunt vs. East Central Monday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)East Central pitcher Breyona Tanner lets fly with a throw towards home vs. Vancleave Monday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)East Central first baseman Abby Danis grabs a pop up vs. Vancleave Monday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Vancleave batter Jayda Ferrell makes contact with a pitch vs. East Central Monday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
There is no rest for the weary, however, as game one of that match-up is slated for 4:30 p.m., Tuesday afternoon in Hattiesburg on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi.
East Central was swept in two games last season by Corinth in the state finals.
Lady Hornet Breyona Tanner was the hero on Monday, as her run-scoring sacrifice fly plated Hailey Gordon with the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh. Tanner also hurled a complete game in the circle to earn the win, striking out four and scattering five singles.
Gordon walked earlier in the inning.
Vancleave infielder Brenley Hunter makes a play on the ball at second vs. East Central Monday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)East Central batter Hailey Gordon fouls off a pitch vs. Vancleave Monday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Vancleave catcher Sophia Hollimon and Lady Bulldog infielder Presleigh Tapp chase a pop up vs. East Central Monday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Vancleave catcher Sophia Hollimon reacts after Lady Bulldog infielder Presleigh Tapp grabbed a pop up vs. East Central Monday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
Gordon was also involved in the first run of the game, as she grounded into an infield error by VHS that made it 1-0 in the second.
Abby Danis made it 2-0 ECHS with an RBI-single in the bottom of the fourth.
But the Lady Bulldogs responded with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth to knot things back up as both Presleigh Tapp and Carly Wyatt had RBI-singles setting the stage for the climactic ending.
Danis collected a game-high three hits to pace ECHS at the plate, while Valarie Merrill added a pair of hits to the winning effort.
East Central infielder Angelina Guiterrez reaches out for a throw at second vs. Vancleave Monday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Vancleave pitcher Brooklyn Howard takes aim on the plate vs. East Central Monday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Vancleave infielder Brenley Hunter stretches out for a pop fly vs. East Central Monday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)Vancleave infielder Brenley Hunter stretches out for a catch vs. East Central Monday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
Brooklyn Howard, Vancleave’s workhorse in the circle, suffered the loss as she gave up eight hits in the rubber match.
The Lady Bulldogs were trying to earn a spot in the state championship series after finishing fourth in Region 4-5A race in the regular season. They wrap up the season under first-year head coach Kyle Long 16-20.
East Central head coach Gerald Edmondson chats with a couple of his players vs. Vancleave Monday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)The season came to an end for the Lady Bulldogs vs. East Central Monday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)East Central players celebrate a win over arch-rival Vancleave Monday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)East Central’s Hailey Gordon and Kailee Lawson react after a win over Vancleave Monday afternoon. (Photo by Steve Coleman)
Leave a Reply