Softball division play is in full swing across the “Southern Six: this week. Tuesday night saw two tight games in Division 8. In 6A Hancock squeezed by Gulfport 2-1 and in 5A East Central won a back-and-forth affair with Vancleave 8-7.
In the Kiln, Hancock’s Teegan DeWitt, and Gulfport’s Anna Kate Rounsaville got locked in a pitcher’s duel. DeWitt picked up the win going the distance allowing one run on one hit while striking out seven and walking two. Rounsaville was perfect thru five and 2/3 innings and led 1-0 heading to the seventh courtesy of an RBI by Georgia Emmer. The Lady Hawks rallied in the bottom of the 7th, though, as Adriana Cuevas led off the inning with a double and DeWitt’s RBI single up the middle tied it. Haley Hughes came on in relief for the Lady Admirals and following a stolen base and sacrifice bunt Aubre Martin’s sacrifice fly to right field walked it off for the Lady Hawks. Hancock improves to 1-0 in the division and travels to Biloxi Thursday night. The Lady Admirals fall to 1-1 and travel to Harrison Central Thursday night in another huge division matchup. The Lady Red Rebels squeaked by Biloxi 7-6 Tuesday night.
In 5A at Hurley runs were easier to come by as East Central jumped out to an early lead and held off Vancleave 8-7. East Central evened their division record at 1-1 while Vancleave fell to 1-2. East Central jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and led 7-2 after three innings. Vancleave rallied in the fourth with four runs and tied it in the fifth at 6-6 before Taylor Long’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning proved to be the difference. Bree Phillips had a monster night at the plate with a pair of home runs and a game-high six RBIs to pace the Lady Hornets. Kailee Lawson added a solo blast as well. Breyona Tanner was the starting pitcher while Abbie Huff picked up the win in relief.
Trinity Barry led Vancleave with a trio of hits while Gabrielle Moore, Skylar Stork, and Aubree Hunter each had a pair of hits apiece in the Lady Bulldogs’ 12-hit attack. Brooklyn Rhodes took the loss for Vancleave, which travels to Gautier on Thursday. East Central steps out of division play to host Ocean Springs on Thursday.
George County remained on top of Division 8-5A at 3-0 following a 10-0 win over the Lady Gators on Tuesday night.
In other division games across the Southern Six Tuesday night, Pearl River Central defeated West Harrison 12-5, St. Patrick defeated West Marion 8-4, Perry Central 17-0 over OLA, and Bay High outscored Pass Christian 10-8.
In Division 7-6A, D’Iberville beat Ocean Springs 7-1 and St. Martin beat Pascagoula 7-2 as SMHS was .coming off a big win over the Lady Warriors. Also, Harrison Central beat Biloxi 7-6 in Region 8-6A play.
