Kosciusko won three of four softball games in a seven-day stretch. It could have been — probably should have been — four of four if not for an unusual umpiring decision.
In a matchup of defending state champions — Kosciusko in 4A and Neshoba Central in 5A — the Whippets took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Campbell Blaine singled, stole second, went to third on a misplay and scored on a double by Gracie Williams. Neshoba Central scored two unearned in the bottom of the first.
There was no additional scoring in a 2-1 Neshoba Central victory because of what happened in the top of the sixth. “If I explain it to you, you're not going to believe it,” said Kosciusko coach Tony Terry.
With two on and two out, Gracie Kate Burrell sent a drive down the right field line, scoring Williams and Graycee Rosamond for what appeared to be a two-run triple. But with Burrell standing at third and Williams and Rosamond already in the dugout, Neshoba Central coaches appealed that the ball had been called foul. The umpires agreed, negating the runs.
Burrell was then retired to end the inning scoreless.
“It was the craziest thing I have ever seen,” Terry said. First base coach Wade Moore, with a good view, said the ball definitely was fair.
The result negated a strong pitching performance by Anna Grace Whitehead, who did not allow an earned run. Williams had two doubles and Mary Kimble Price two singles for the Whippets.
Kosciusko easily won three Region 4-4A games with 10-0 and 11-1 wins over Northeast Lauderdale and a 10-0 victory over Choctaw Central. That improved the region record to 7-0 prior to a home game Tuesday with Choctaw Central.
Whitehead allowed seven hits and fanned 27 in pitching 16 shutout innings in the three games. She threw a six-inning three-hitter in the 10-0 win over NEL with 11 strikeouts, allowed one hit and fanned eight over four innings in the 11-1 game and blanked Choctaw Central on three hits with eight strikeouts in another six-inning game.
Williams allowed one unearned run in the final three innings of the 11-1 game.
Makynee Dickerson led the offense in the sweep of NEL with a three singles and three RBI in the 10-0 game and a triple and two runs scored in the 11-1 game.
Price had the hot bat against Choctaw Central with a single, double, homer and two RBIs. Williams had two singles, a double and three RBIs. Kosciusko broke the game open early with a five-run first.
“We are getting a lot healthier and playing better ball,” Terry said. “Anna Grace is throwing extremely well and we are playing defense like we should have all year.”
The Lady Whippets have a rematch at home with Neshoba Central Thursday. Next week brings showdown games with West Lauderdale for the region championship, on the road Tuesday and at home Thursday.
