Division races continue to tighten up across the “Southern Six” as teams look to secure playoff spots with two weeks remaining in the regular season.
With the top three teams in each division advancing to the playoffs, several divisions have the top trio established but seeding is still up in the air.
In Class 3A, St. Patrick still holds the division lead but following a 7-4 loss to West Marion the Lady Irish must win out. If they do they hold the tiebreaker over the Lady Trojans on the strength of their 8-4 win earlier in the season.
In Class 4A, Poplarville still trails Sumrall and Purvis but looks to hold off Lawrence County in 7-4A. The Lady Hornets host the Lady Cougars and Columbia to close out division play. In 8-4A everyone is still looking up at Greene County. The Lady Wildcats are 4-0 and host Bay on Friday in a game that could decide the division title. Stone and Pass Christian are batting for the final two spots as the two teams met in the Pass on Wednesday night and meet again in Wiggins on April 13.
In Class 5A, seeding is the only thing left to decide in Division 8. Vancleave is in as the 3 seed while George County and East Central battle for the top 2 spots. George County heads to Hurley on Friday and can secure the division title with a win. The Lady Rebels can also secure the title if the Lady Hornets can’t defeat GCHS by nine runs or more and the Lady Rebels defeat Gautier next Wednesday night.
A similar scenario plays out in Division 8 as Pearl River Central, Picayune and West Harrison have all but locked up playoff spots. The Lady Blue Devils still have the inside track to the top seed as the only team in the division still undefeated. West Harrison hosts Long Beach Thursday night as they try to stay in the race while Picayune steps out of division taking on George County in a possible playoff preview.
In Class 6A, in Division 8-6A, Hancock, Harrison Central and Gulfport have punched their ticket to the postseason as Gulfport secured their spot with a 12-2 win over Biloxi on Tuesday. Harrison Central took the division lead with a 6-0 win over Hancock and now holds the run differential tie-breaker over the Lady Hawks. Hancock travels to Gulfport Thursday night and Harrison Central is at Biloxi. Next Tuesday Harrison Central takes on the Lady Admirals so the division title is still up in the air with all three teams seemingly controlling their own destiny.
In Division 7-6 tonight’s games will help shape the race as Ocean Springs hosts division-leading D’Iberville while St. Martin host Pascagoula. A win for the Lady Warriors will secure the top seed for D’Iberville and leave the Lady Greyhounds and Lady Yellow Jackets battling for the second and third seed.
The State Playoffs begin in all classifications on April 21.
