By Brandon Walker

assistant sports editor



For a pair of area softball teams, it all comes down to tonight.

With both leading their respective MHSAA state championship series 1-0, the Clarkdale Lady Bulldogs and Newton County Lady Cougars will each have a chance to win state titles on their home turf tonight.

Clarkdale, which edged Eupora by a score of 3-2 in Eupora Saturday afternoon, will aim for its third Class 2A state championship in program history tonight when the Lady Bulldogs host the visiting Eagles.

The Lady Bulldogs, who have won four 1-run games in their last five playoff outings, could have a pair of chances to clinch tonight. Game 2 of the series is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Clarkdale with Game 3, if necessary, to immediately follow.

For Newton County, the scenario is similar as the Lady Cougars own a 1-game lead after a 9-3 rout of North Champ Nettleton in Game 1 of the Class 3A finals.

Tonight, the Lady Cougars will return home to host Nettleton. If successful, Newton County will claim its fifth state championship.