Prep Softball: South Panola takes game one from George County in Class 6A state title series
George County outfielder Hadleigh Tatum stretches out for a line drive vs. South Panola Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Bobbie McDuffie)
By Curtis Rockwell/Sports Director
HATTIESBURG — For the second time this season, South Panola beat Geofge County 5-3 on the softball diamond.
However, the loss on Tuesday stung much worse for the defending Class 6A state champion Lady Rebels than the one almost three months ago did.
George County infielder Braylee Bishop reaches out for a throw vs. South Panola Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Bobbie McDuffie)George County batter Aryana Dixon offers up a bunt vs. South Panola Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Bobbie McDuffie)South Panola infielder Kaleigh Cobb reaches out for a throw at first vs. George County Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Bobbie McDuffie)George County infielder Blakely Slay reacts as she watches the flight of a pop up vs. South Panola Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Bobbie McDuffie)
The Lady Tigers took game one of the Class 6A State title match-up by that same score here at the University of Southern Mississippi Softball Complex. The loss puts George County’s collective back to the wall, as now the Lady Rebels have to win two straight games to defend their state crown.
The two teams split a pair of early runs, as George County’s Kyleigh Howell gave her team a quick 1-0 lead with a run-scoring sacrifice fly in the first frame, and South Panola got a run-scoring single from Olivia Phillips in the third to make it 1-1.
The Lady Tigers made the next move. Well, actually the next four moves.
George County base runner Aryana Dixon dives toward home plate vs. South Panola Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Bobbie McDuffie)South Panola batter Kayleigh Shearon slaps at a pitch vs. George County Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Bobbie McDuffie)South Panola outfielder Hannah Robertson (right) picks up the ball as Lady Tiger infielder Georgia Phillips takes a fall vs. George County Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Bobbie McDuffie)George County outfielder Addisyn Chavers looks to make a throw back in vs. South Panola Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Bobbie McDuffie)
South Panolia took a lead it would never relinqusih on yet another RBI-single by Phiilips in the top of the fifth. Then, in the seventh, Grady Beck Wilson’s run-scoring single made it 4-2 and Kaleigh Cobb folowed with a run-scoring doube to extend the advantage to 5-1.
And although GCHS got two runs in its last at bat thanks to an RBI-single by Jordyn Bradley and a throwing error by SPHS, that would be it.
Both Aryana Dixon and Hadleigh Tatum each had two hits apiece for the Lady Rebels, who got three of their seven total hits in the seventh stanza.
Phillips posted a game-high three hits for the Lady Tigers.
George County infielder Blakely Slay takes aim on a throw to first vs. South Panola Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Bobbie McDuffie)George County base runner Jordyn Bradley breaks toward first base vs. South Panola Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Bobbie McDuffie)South Panola pitcher Grady Beck Wilson takes aim on a toss to the plate vs. George County Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Bobbie McDuffie)George County pitcher Addison Davis sets her sights on a throw home vs. South Panola Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Bobbie McDuffie)
Addison Davis went the distance in the circle to take the loss for GCHS.
Wilson also tossed a complete game for SPHS to earn the win.
The Lady Tigers are now an impressive 31-3 overall. The Lady Rebels are 28-7. Game two is set for late Thursday afternoon.
South Panola also beat George County 5-3 on Feb. 20th.
George County catcher Kyleigh Howell reacts as the South Panola bench erupts after a big hit Tuesday afternoon. (Photo by Bobbie McDuffie)
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