By By Marty Stamper/The Meridian Star
Sept. 28, 2001
Six of the state's top 10 slow-pitch softball teams will be at the Sammie Davidson Complex Saturday for the 13th-annual Meridian Community College Invitational Tournament.
Eighteen teams will compete in four pools with the pool winners advancing to semifinal action at 6:30 p.m. The championship and consolation contests are slated for 7:30.
(Records are through Wednesday's games.)
In Pool 1 are No. 9 and defending Class 4A state champion New Hope, Clarkdale (12-8), East Central, and Wayne County.
In Pool 2 are No. 3 Newton County (17-2), Meridian (14-8), Columbus, Neshoba Central (11-10), and Poplarville. Newton County was the Class 3A state runner-up a year ago with Meridian finishing second in Class 5A.
In Pool 3 are No. 8 and defending Class 5A state champion Moss Point, No. 4 Northeast Lauderdale (20-3), Southeast Lauderdale (3-16), Morton, and George County (13-4).
In Pool 4 are No. 5 and defending Class 3A state champion West Lauderdale (23-2), Petal, Greene County, and defending MCC Tournament champion Amory, which is currently ranked No. 10 in the state.
Play begins at 8:30 a.m. with Clarkdale taking on Wayne County, Neshoba Central facing Newton County, Northeast Lauderdale playing Southeast Lauderdale, and Morton meeting George County.
At 9:35, Meridian plays Neshoba Central, West Lauderdale takes on Greene County, Poplarville plays Columbus, and New Hope faces East Central.
At 10:40, Newton County squares off with Meridian, Wayne County faces East Central, Southeast Lauderdale gets a shot at Moss Point, and Petal takes on Amory.
At 11:45, Clarkdale plays New Hope, Northeast Lauderdale challenges George County, Morton meets Moss Point, and West Lauderdale takes on Petal.
At 12:50 p.m., Neshoba Central faces Poplarville, Southeast Lauderdale takes on George County, Meridian faces Columbus, and Amory plays Greene County.
At 1:55, Clarkdale plays East Central, Northeast Lauderdale takes on Morton, Newton County squares off with Poplarville, and Petal faces Greene County.
At 3 p.m., West clashes with Amory, New Hope plays Wayne County, Neshoba Central plays Columbus, and Moss Point plays George County.
At 4:05, Southeast Lauderdale plays Morton, Newton County faces Columbus, Northeast Lauderdale meets Moss Point, and West Lauderdale plays East Central.
At 5:10, Petal plays New Hope, Clarkdale takes on Greene County, Poplarville faces Meridian, and Wayne County gets Amory.
Marty Stamper is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. Call him at 693-1551 ext. 3234 or e-mail him at mstamper@themeridianstar.com.