By CURTIS ROCKWELL/Sports Director

GULFPORT — Ocean Springs defended its Region 4-7A title this week.

The Lady Greyhounds swept Gulfport in two games to seal the top seed in the loop in upcoming Class 7A South State playoffs that begin next week. Ocean Springs shutout visiting GHS 5-0 Tuesday night, and completed the series with an 8-6 win on the road Thursday night.

Ocean Springs ends up the regular season at 21-8 overall and ripped through the region race at 11-1. Despite the two losses this week, Gulfport is still headed to the playoffs as well as the fourth seed at 6-6, and the Lady Admirals are 14-10 overall.

On Tuesday, Lady Greyhound ace pitcher Emma Franklin hurled a complete game, two-hit shutout to propel OSHS to the win.

Kerrigan Scott had a game-high three hits to lead Ocean Springs offensively, including a pair of doubles, while K’Lee Gum posted a game-high three RBIs and she had two hits also. Addison Johnson had two hits as well.

Presley Savant got no support from her teammates at the plate and took the loss in the circle for the Lady Admirals.

Then, in Gulfport two days later, Scott and Laynee Davis collected four hits apiece for OSHS< while Taylor Farra had a three-run double and Davis also drove in two runs in the winning effort.

Kylie Untisz earned the win, and Brynnan Johnson took the loss.

Paige Morre tallied three hits for Gulfport and Nevaeh Burch had two hits and both batters drove in a run.

D’Iberville finished as the second seed in Region 4-7A and St. Martin is the third seed.

The Class 7A South State playoffs begin late next week, with Ocean Springs facing Oak Grove and D’Iberville meeting Brandon. Meanwhile, Gulfport faces Northwest Rankin and St. Martin takes on Petal to complete the South bracket.