By By Marty Stamper / staff writer
Oct. 16, 2004
When it comes to slow-pitch softball, two area divisions need make no apologies for the level of competition they provide. Both Division 5-3A and Division 5-2A still have three area teams alive entering third-round playoff series today.
In Class 3A, defending state champion West Lauderdale (26-4) hosts Southeast Lauderdale (23-12) at 5 p.m. at Richard May Complex in Collinsville.
West advanced with an 11-1, 4-3 sweep at West Marion on Tuesday. Southeast stayed alive with a 4-2, 0-3, 6-5 series win at North Pike.
West won both regular season games with Southeast by 7-1 and 14-8 margins.
Newton County (20-12), the third member of 5-3A still playing, travels to Leakesville to take on Greene County (20-4) at 4 p.m. The Lady Cougars knocked off Poplarville 8-5, 12-13, 9-7 in the second round on Tuesday. Greene County swept Choctaw Central 12-7, 9-3.
In the Class 3A North half, Corinth has advanced to next Tuesday's North State finals with a 4-0, 4-3 sweep of Aberdeen on Thursday. Senatobia (10-8) takes on Cleveland (23-9) today in the other semifinal.
In Class 2A, 2003 state runner-up Clarkdale (26-4) hosts 2004 Division 5-2A runner-up Philadelphia (18-7) at 5 p.m. today. Clarkdale won both regular season meetings 12-11 and 14-4.
In Tuesday's second-round play, Clarkdale swept East Marion 16-6, 21-3 and Philadelphia took two from Seminary 5-0, 7-1.
The third member of 5-2A still alive is Enterprise. The Lady Bulldogs knocked off Gulfport St. John 5-16, 10-9, 9-5 on Thursday. Enterprise travels to Ridgeland today to take on St. Andrew's (30-2) in a series beginning at noon.
In the 2A North semifinals, Hatley (19-14) faces Smithville (21-11) and 2003 state champion Mooreville plays Hamilton.
In Class 4A, Neshoba Central (23-6) travels to New Hope (29-3) in another battle of division rivals. The Lady Rockets swept Houston 9-6, 9-5 on Tuesday, while New Hope took two from Pontotoc 5-4 and 10-0 on Thursday.
The Lady Rockets and Lady Trojans each won on the other's home field during the regular season. New Hope had a 6-0 win at Neshoba, while the Lady Rockets won 1-0 at New Hope.
The other North 4A semifinal finds Amory (23-6) taking on Tishomingo County (27-5).
Quitman has already played its South 4A semifinal series with East Central, losing 5-3, 1-8, and 4-10 to finish with a 19-11 record.
The other 4A South semifinal finds Petal playing Brookhaven (26-4) today.
The South 1A semifinals also have a pair of division rematches. Union (24-6) hosts Sebastopol at 3 p.m. at Laird Park. Division 6-1A champion Union has won 10 of the 11 previous meetings with the Lady Bobcats including 9-7 and 10-1 decisions this year.
The other South 1A semifinal has West Lincoln (26-6) hosting Bogue Chitto (23-8).
In the North 1A semifinals, Ingomar (26-6) faces Pine Grove and West Union hosts Myrtle.
In Class 5A, Meridian (18-9) goes to Moss Point for a series beginning at 2 p.m. Moss Point played in the Meridian Community College Tournament in late September going 4-0 with a 9-6 win over Meridian. Moss Point also had an 8-4 win over Southeast Lauderdale, a 9-4 victory over Northeast Lauderdale, and a 12-10 win over West Lauderdale.
The other South 5A semifinal has Warren Central (21-8) going to Picayune (20-3).
In the North 5A semifinals, Clinton (14-16) meets Grenada and Tupelo (20-11) hosts Brandon (22-6).