RIDGELAND — Over the past several seasons, Neshoba Central High School has proven to be the perennial power in MHSAA Class 5A/6A slow-pitch softball.

Saturday was no exception.

The Lady Rockets blasted their way past Wayne County High School, winning 14-3 and 15-0 en route to claiming their fourth-consecutive slow-pitch state championship.

“This group really bonded in September,” Neshoba Central coach Trae Embry said. “It was a time they came together and decided they had something to prove. And it’s carried over to this.

“We have seven new starters from last year. They stepped up and wanted to prove a point, and they did.”

Neshoba Central has been led by a strong group of four seniors all season long.

And when the Rockets needed the quartet the most, the seniors delivered.

Hannah Williams, Madalyn McMahon, Kayla Robertson and Ali Pike combined to crank out 16 hits, including seven extra-base hits.

“This says what kind of players they are,” Embry said of his seniors. “They’re top-notch kids. They’re decorated, and they’re great. They lead us in every game we play.”

Robertson spear-headed the offense with a pair of home runs, including an inside-the-park homer in Game 2. She finished the series with seven RBIs.

“I was thinking, I’m about to make it home,” Robertson said of her inside-the-park homer. “I trust (Coach Embry) and he trusts us. … This means a lot. It’s four times in a row. Coach Embry believes in us even when we might not believe. He’s just a great coach.”

The Lady Rockets run-ruled the Lady War Eagles in both games, earning wins in just five innings each outing.

“This is just a great feeling, and I’m really excited that I got to win a championship in my senior year,” Williams said. “Every player has to have confidence in herself to do what we did, and we have confidence in ourselves. I’m really proud of what we were able to accomplish.”

Neshoba Central managed to reach double-digits in each of its eight postseason games, outscoring the opposition 116-31.

“I’m speechless,” said McMahon, who had five hits and seven RBIs in the series. “We just tried to keep our balance toward (the opposite field) and do what (Embry) tells us to do. This is it for all four of us. It’s kind of sad, but it feels good at the same time.”

Neshoba’s defense was equally effective as it made a number of nifty plays in the field, including turning a double play in Game 2 of the series.

“This is just wonderful. It’s a great experience,” Pike said. “We have a strong defense. We practice and work on it all the time. And (Embry) hits it hard to us, and we work on situation after situation until we get it right.”

Pike had three hits and two RBIs in the series.

“(The seniors) grew up together — we grew up playing tournament ball and pee-wee ball, and it’s just really exciting,” Pike said.

Sophomore Jasmine Chickaway had four RBIs, and Kaylee Routh chipped in with two more.

The Lady Rockets will seek to claim their fourth-consecutive fast-pitch state title in the spring.