Heading into the last week of March the softball region races across the “Southern Six” are coming into shape as teams head into April looking to make a playoff push.
Thursday night several games across the coast had playoff implications. In 6A, D’Iberville took control in Region 7-6A and Hancock did the same in Region 8-6A with big wins. The Lady Warriors avenged an earlier 4-2 loss to St. Martin by shutting out the Lady Yellow Jackets 6-0. If the division title comes down to run differential, D’Iberville now holds the advantage.
Hancock handed Harrison Central its first league loss of the season beating the Red Rebels 4-2. The Lady Hawks used a three-run fourth inning to take a lead they would never relinquish.
In Class 5A Pearl River Central defeated Long Beach 5-4 to remain the only undefeated team in Region 7-5A while George County outscored Vancleave 11-6 to move to 4-0 in Region 8-5A.
In Class 4A, Bay picked up a big 14-4 win over Stone to position themselves in second place in Region 8-4A. Greene County, who defeated Bay 12-3 earlier in the week, sits atop the division at 3-0. Pass Christian knocked off Moss Point 8-0 on Senior Night for the Lady Pirates. Poplarville sits at 3-1 in region 7-4A, trailing the Sumrall Lady Bobcats. In 3A, St. Patrick has gotten off to a 5-0 start in Region 8-3A and sits on top of the division.
The schedule turns to April next week, and with three playoff spots available in 6A and 5A league games continue to hold importance.
In Region 7-6A, Ocean Springs and Pascagoula met Thursday night with the winner having the inside track at joining D’Iberville and St. Martin in the playoffs. In Region 8=6A, Gulfport with an early season win over Biloxi holds the advantage for the third spot. But Biloxi will have a say so also as the Lady Indians are 0 -4 in the division but those losses have come by a combined 6 runs.
In Region 8-5A, East Central and Vancleave meet next Tuesday night in a game that will go a long way in determining playoff seeding. The Lady Hornets are then set to host George County on Saturday, April 8. The Lady Hornets defeated Vancleave 8-7 earlier this season and fell to the Lady Rebels 10-2 in Lucedale. West Harrison and Picayune are trying to stay within shouting distance of Pearl River Central in Region 7-5A. The Lady Canes ends the regular season with a matchup against the Lady Blue Devils. Long Beach coming off the tough loss to PRC will try to get back in the mix.
