Kosciusko began the 4A playoffs Tuesday with a home game against Pontotoc. The second game in the best-of-three series will be Friday at Pontotoc, with the Whippets hosting Saturday if there is a third game.
It was Pontotoc that ended the Whippets' 2022 season in the second round with a 9-8 victory in the third game.
Kosciusko coach Cole McBride said the memory of that tough loss might have a slight motivational impact for his team. But he said “This is a whole new team. It's about us. It doesn't matter who we play. We have to control what we do and how we do things,”
Kosciusko qualified for the playoffs as the second place team from Region 4-4A. There was a tight three-team race in 2-4A. South Pontotoc finished first at 8-2, Pontotoc and Ripley were both 7-3.
Under the MHSAA tie breaker system, Ripley is the second seed as a result of sweeping two games against fourth place Northeast Lauderdale while Pontotoc split with Northeast.
Kosciusko concluded the regular season with impressive victories over Newton County 4-0 and Neshoba Central 6-2.
Jacob Nunn pitched a four hitter with six strikeouts against Newton County.
The Whippets took a 1-0 lead on a single by Landon Wallace in the third and added three runs in the sixth with the help of two walks, two hit batters and an error. Cooper Black singled in the inning's first run.
The Whippets jumped out to a 2-0 lead against Neshoba Central in the first and added four runs in the fourth. Larson Fancher doubled in the first inning runs. The big hit in the fourth was a bases loaded triple by Wallace.
Ty Ramage, Wallace and Fancher combined on a four hitter.
Neshoba Central was scheduled after Pearl canceled a game because the Pirates had to play a 6-6A game.
