RIDGELAND – Before Hallie Billie went to the batter’s box in the top of the fifth inning in Game 2, Neshoba Central coach Trae Embry pulled the senior aside for a word.

With Tori Henderson, Neshoba Central’s other senior, already on base, Embry challenged Billie to make what could possibly be the final at-bat of her slow-pitch softball career count.

She took it from there.

Billie bashed a two-run home run to the deliver one of the final blows to Wayne County and send Neshoba Central to its seventh-consecutive slow-pitch softball championship.

Neshoba Central swept Wayne County by scores of 16-11 and 16-0 to win the 2018 MHSAA Class III slow-pitch softball championship Saturday at Freedom Ridge Park. The Lady Rockets run-ruled the Lady War Eagle in five innings in Game 2. 

“He walked up to me and said, ‘Hey, this is probably going to be your last at-bat – go for it,’” Billie said of Embry’s conversation with her. “And then when I got up, I went for it, and it just went over.”

Through 33 games this season, Henderson and Billie have been conduits of leadership and experience for a youthful Lady Rockets team that carried only two seniors on its rosters.

Seeing that they capped a 32-1 season with the two wins Saturday, one could say they served their roles well.

While Neshoba Central received its championship medals and trophy, Henderson stood on Freedom Ridge’s red clay infield as tears streamed down her face. The tears were mixed with joy and sadness as Henderson reflected on the closing chapter.

“I’m just so excited to have won another state championship, especially since it’s my senior year,” Henderson said. “It’s just extra special.”

Henderson also added that another element contributed to her emotional response.

“They were trying to make me cry, too,” Henderson said with a laugh as she pointed over to her teammates. “They knew that I was going to be emotional, and so they were trying to make me cry since I didn’t cry at Senior Night.”

Both Henderson and Billie ended their slow-pitch careers with outstanding performances.

Henderson went 2-for-3 with a home run and grand slam to go with seven RBIs in Game 1, and she went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs in Game 2. Billie finished Game 1 with three RBIs to go with three hits, including a home run, in four at-bats. And in Game 2, Billie went 3-for-3 with a walk to go with three RBIs and three runs.

Neshoba Central’s Tenly Grisham drew five walks in the series, and she hit a solo home run in Game 2. Layanna Morris contributed with four hits and a walk, and she hit a solo homer in Game 2 to give the Lady Rockets their final run of the series.

Neshoba Central tallied 16 hits in Game 1 and rattled off 18 hits in Game 2.

Perhaps even more staggering than the fact that Neshoba Central now owns seven straight championships is that 25 underclassmen and seventh- and eighth-graders comprised this year’s Neshoba Central roster.

Unsurprisingly, the Lady Rockets will again enter the 2019 season as the favorites in Class III.

As Neshoba Central’s fast- and slow-pitch softball coach, Embry has accumulated enough state championship rings to occupy both hands with a couple to spare for some toes. But the thrill of winning hasn’t lost its luster for him.

Part of the reason, he explained, is because each team is in its own right special due to its various personalities. Each year brings forth new players and new memories, and he eagerly awaits the chance to do it again next season.

But as Embry’s team and the Neshoba Central community celebrated championship No. 7 Saturday, Embry’s only focus was on the moment and the players who made it possible. More specifically, his two seniors.

 “Tori and Hallie are special, and if you saw the end of the game there, Tori got a base hit, and I went over there to Hallie, and I said, ‘You know, this is probably your last slow-pitch at-bat, and if you want to go for it, go for it,’” Embry said. “And she hit a home run. She was able to hit a home run in her last slow-pitch at-bat. That says a lot about them, and they’re great kids who have stayed with our program and have been so dedicated to us. They’ve worked so hard to get to where they are.”