Kosciusko softball continued its strong play the second half of the season with two victories over Choctaw Central, 10-0 and 9-3, improving to 8-0 in Region 4-4A.
“We're definitely playing a lot better since we have gotten close to being healthy,” said coach Tony Terry.
Nine games into the season, the Lady Whippet were 5-4. Since then, they have won 11 of 13. Both losses were by one run on the road against the top ranked teams in the state — 5-4 in eighth innings against No. 1 Northwest Rankin and 2-1 against No. 2 Neshoba Central when an umpire's decision cost the Lady Whippets two runs..
Inexperience and injuries contributed to the slow start.
“Some people didn't understand, but I knew it would take a while to get everybody acclimated to playing at this level,” Terry said.
Mary Kimble Price led the sweep of Choctaw Central with two homers, two singles, a double and six RBIs in the two games. She had plenty of help.
Anna Grace Whitehead homered twice in the 9-3 game and doubled in the 10-0 game. Gracie Williams had a double, two singles and three RBIs in the 10-0 game and homered the next night. Gracie Kate Burrell contributed a double and a triple.
Whitehead was the winning pitcher in both games. She threw a six-inning two hitter, with eight strikeouts, in the 10-0 game and allowed five hits, with five strikeouts over 6.1 innings in the 9-3 win.
The sweep set up a showdown with West Lauderdale. The teams met Tuesday at West Lauderdale and have a rematch Thursday at Kosciusko.
West Lauderdale also entered 8-0 in the region, so the games will determine the region championship, and perhaps more importantly, seeding for the playoffs. First place earns an opening round bye and will begin a three-game series at home April 28 against the winner between 3-4A second place and 2-4A third place.
The 4A runnerup will open at home April 21 against 1-4A third place.
West Lauderdale entered Tuesday's game 16-4, with two losses to Northwest Rankin, 2-0 and 4-1, and two against Neshoba Central, 2-1 and 3-2.
“It's basically the same team we played last year,” Terry said. “They're going to pitch it well, they're going to hit it well and defend it well. We will just have to match them.”
The Lady Whippets defeated West Lauderdale in the North State final the past two years on their way to the 4A state championship. “It's one of the best rivalries in Mississippi softball,” Terry said.
If they were to meet in the North State final again this year, the region winner would have the home field advantage in the opener and again if a Game 3 is necessary.
This will be the last time for at least two years that the teams will be in the same region. Beginning in fall, Kosciusko will move to 3-4A while West Lauderdale remains in 4-4A. But they could meet in the playoffs.
Kosciusko's rematch with Neshoba Central was rained out last week and will not be rescheduled.
