Northwest Rankin got the upper hand Tuesday evening in the first game of the Mississippi Class 7A softball finals.
Now, the Cougars look for the sweep and a title as Game 2 takes place Thursday evening. It will conclude a four-day set of games on the third day of the Mississippi High School Activities Association state softball finals at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.
Northwest Rankin defeated Hernando, 8-3, in Game 1 of the 7A state finals. Brooke Smith went 3-for-3 with three runs scored, while Sydney Glover had two hits and drove in two runs and Grace Wallis doubled and had two RBIs.
Three other state finals will start on Thursday. Action begins at 11 a.m. Central time with the 1A final between Myrtle (22-6) and Stringer (24-3-1).
Then at 1:15 p.m., it will be Game 1 of the 4A final between Itawamba Agricultural (28-7) and Purvis (28-6), while the opening game of the 2A final between East Union (30-4) and Pisgah (28-6) gets under way at 3:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, two teams forced a deciding Game 3 while another team claimed state.
East Central of Moss Point defeated Oxford Lafayette, 10-6, to capture the 5A state title with a two-game sweep. Abby Danis was 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs, and Breyona Tanner went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs for the Hornets.
Booneville forces a Game 3 in the 3A state finals after defeating Enterprise-Clarke, 6-0, as Olivia Garrett tossed a six-hit shutout, striking out 10. She also went 2-for-2 with a homer and two RBIs. Game 3 in the 3A finals is set for 5:45 p.m. Friday.
Then in the 6A final, Neshoba Central rallied from a 6-3 deficit to defeat George County, 7-6, to force a Game 3. Xiomara Fireplace went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, including a sacrifice fly which put the Rockets ahead to stay. Miley Thomas went 3-for-4 with an RBI, and was also the winning pitcher in relief for Neshoba Central, which faces George County in the decisive Game 3 at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Championship series games continue through Saturday at USM.
Here’s everything you need to know about live streaming Day 3 of the championship softball series in Mississippi:
How to watch the MHSAA softball championship series
•. 1A Finals Game 1: Watch on the NFHS Network.
•. 4A Finals Game 1: Watch on the NFHS Network.
•. 2A Finals Game 1: Watch on the NFHS Network.
•. 7A Finals Game 2: Watch on the NFHS Network.
All four games Thursday will air live on the NFHS Network. You can subscribe to the NFHS Network on a monthly basis or an annual subscription.
MHSAA softball start times
•. 1A Finals Game 1 Date: Thursday, May 15
•. 1A Finals Game 1 Time: 11 a.m. CT/9 a.m. PT
•. 4A Finals Game 1 Date: Thursday, May 15
•. 4A Finals Game 1 Time: 1:15 p.m. CT/11:15 a.m. PT
•. 2A Finals Game 1 Date: Thursday, May 15
•. 2A Finals Game 1 Time: 3:30 p.m. CT/1:30 p.m. PT
•. 7A Finals Game 2 Date: Thursday, May 15
•. 7A Finals Game 2 Time: 5:45 p.m. CT/3:45 p.m. PT
The first pitch for Game 1 of the 1A finals between Myrtle and Stringer will be at 11 a.m. CT on Thursday. Game 1 of the 4A final between Purvis and Itawamba will be at 1:15 p.m. CT Thursday, and Game 1 of the 2A final between East Union and Pisgah will be at 3:30 p.m. CT Thursday. Then Game 2 of the 7A final between Hernando and Northwest Rankin will be at 5:45 p.m. CT on Thursday. All four games will be at the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.