RIDGELAND —
After a discouraging 15-11 loss in Game 1, it would have been easy for the Southeast Lauderdale softball team to lay down Saturday against South Pontotoc in the MHSAA Class 3A state championship series at Freedom Ridge Park. However, with their backs against the wall, the Tigers didn't give up, rallying in Game 2 before holding off the Cougars 9-6 in Game 3 to secure the first slow-pitch state championship in school history.
“The rule says you have to win two games,” Fanning said. “It doesn't say which two. It's a fun time in Southeast Lauderdale.”
Following a loss in Game 1, Southeast found itself facing elimination in the bottom of the seventh inning of Game 2, down 14-11.
Three outs away from a second-straight championship loss, the Tigers rallied. Dori Timms and Magen Chatham got the inning started with back-to-back singles. After a fly out from Katie Dawson, Jasmine Bush stepped up to the plate and delivered a pinch-hit double to left to cut the lead to 14-12. Taylor Powell then walked to load the bases for shortstop Denisha Knight.
The senior came through, knocking a single up the middle to plate two runs and tie the game for the Tigers. Southeast would win the game two batters later, as South Pontotoc's shortstop was unable to trap a ground ball frim Nancy Williams that sped past her into the outfield, allowing the Tigers to score the winning run.
“That kind of gave us a little momentum heading into the third game,” Fanning said. “It was big for us heading into the final game.”
Southeast lost the coin flip in Game 3, forcing the Tigers to bat first in the deciding game. After both teams went scoreless in the first inning, South Pontotoc took advantage of costly Southeast errors, as the Cougars jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning.
“We made two errant throws,” Fanning said. “They really capitalized on that, and scored four runs. I thought Lord have mercy, we are going to throw this thing away.”
Southeast, however, battled back for four runs of their own, capitalizing off a two-run home run from Williams followed later in the inning by a two-out, two-run double from Timms.
After blanking the Cougars in the bottom of the third, the Tigers jumped out on top, as Lauren Yeager lifted a two-run double to put Southeast on top 6-4.
The Tigers extended the lead to 9-6 heading into the seventh inning, just three outs away from a 3A state title. South Pontotoc started the inning, shooting a grounder down the third-base line. However, Williams came up big for the Tigers, snaring the grounder and hurling it to first in time to get the first out and prevent the Cougars from getting any momentum.
Three batters later, Southeast recorded the third and final out of the inning, and completed the unlikely comeback to claim the title.
Twenty years removed from his first slow-pitch title in 1992 with Newton County, Fanning is now back on top of the Mississippi slow-pitch community, giving the Tigers their first slow-pitch championship.
For Fanning this title is every bit as sweet as his previous two.
“It's fun,” Fanning said. “I'm glad to see them be a winner, because that's what it is all about. That's the reason why we went out there Aug. 1. We thought we were going to win, and tonight we did.”
Sports
Comeback Complete
Southeast Lauderdale storms past South Pontotoc to capture Class 3A state championship
- Sports
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Newton County beats Houston 10-0 to claim 7th fast-pitch championshi
Players from Newton County’s dugout barely made it to the foul line before a celebratory dogpile ensued here Saturday. Indeed, winning never gets old.
The Lady Cougars blanked Houston 10-0 Saturday at Freedom Ridge Park, completing an easy sweep of their best-of-three, Class 4A State Championship Series and gaining a measure of revenge after falling short a year ago. -
Rockets roar by East Central, claim 5A crown
Trae Embry took somewhat of a gamble when he accepted the softball
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new opportunity. - Newton County wins state
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Enterprise falls twice to East Webster
It just wasn't to be.
After 16 innings of big plays and tense moments, the Enterprise Lady Bulldogs fell just short of their third MHSAA Class 2A State Fast-Pitch Softball Championship on Saturday, dropping a 3-1 decision in the decisive game three. But EHS head coach Davey Dewitt said he was pleased with the way his team played, battling East Webster to the last out. -
Richmond leaves Clarkdale for Neshoba Central
Former Clarkdale High School head football coach Chris Richmond is leaving the team to serve as a position coach at Neshoba Central next season. Richmond, who went 1-21 in his two seasons as the Bulldogs head coach said the move to Neshoba will help him stay closer to his family
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Neshoba Central shuts out East Central 8-0
Neshoba Central’s last two rounds of the state softball playoffs involved grueling series wins over Lake Cormorant and New Hope. And while no one knows what today holds in the Class 5A State Championship Series, the Lady Rockets zipped through East Central like a hot knife through butter in Ridgeland Friday night.
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Enterprise tops East Webster 6-3
Just one more win.
That's how far away the Enterprise Lady Bulldogs are from closing out an amazing season. After beginning the year 4-8, EHS has won 15 of their last 19 games, including Friday afternoon's 6-3 win over East Webster in the MHSAA Class 2A Fast-Pitch Softball Championships. -
Newton County romps Houston 16-3
In the second inning of the opening game of their best-of-three, Class 4A State Championship Series, Newton County left the bases loaded without pushing across a run and coach Justin Chaney said he was worried his squad wasn’t taking advantage of a key opportunity.
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Upton, Braves slam Dodgers 8-5
Justin Upton gave Atlanta the lead with a sixth-inning grand slam and the Braves finally unveiled their full-strength lineup, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-5 on Friday night.
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Enterprise in search of 3rd fast-pitch title
Davey Dewitt has accomplished a lot in his first year as head softball coach at Enterprise High School. After a runner-up performance in 2A slow-pitch last fall, Enterprise and Dewitt have returned to the state championships in fast-pitch.
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