Poplarville (26-2), coached by Jonathan Ray, advances to the MHSAA State Championships that are set for Saturday at the V.A. Fields in Jackson. It will be a best-of-three series against the North Champion, either Newton County or West Lauderdale.

"We got a huge advantage by winning Game One," said Coach Ray. "It helped us because we didn't have to be the visitors twice. My seniors stepped up on both sides, offensively and defensively. My whole lineup stepped up in key situations."

Lawrence County, under the direction of interim coach Tarvey Ward, ends its season at 17-9.

Poplarville 4, Lawrence Co. 1
In the opener, Poplarville took a 4-0 lead in the top of the second inning and finished with 8 hits. Kayla Ross hit a 2-RBI double and scored on a single by Alyssa Graeter in the 3-run second.

Graeter (0 K, 3 BB) was the winning pitcher in both games.

Shelby Mitchell (1 K, 0 BB) absorbed the loss as the Cougars committed 4 errors.

LCHS catcher Dalphne Armstrong hit a solo homer in the second inning but received 3 intentional walks in her next at-bats. Mary McLaurin doubled and singled for LCHS.

At the plate, Ross collected a double and 2 singles. Graeter singled twice.

Poplarville 13, Lawrence Co. 6
The Hornets took a 5-1 lead in the second inning and led 11-3 after the third. They outhit the Cougars 13-12. LCHS committed 6 errors.

Graeter (1 K, 3 BB) pitched the win. Mitchell (1 K, 2 BB) took the loss.

Ross, the leadoff batter, singled twice and tripled. Graeter singled twice and doubled. Branda Northrop tripled. Two singles by Janessa Dedeaux drove in 3 runs. Kelly Ladner singled twice.

The Cougars got 3 doubles from Kristen Sauls. Mitchell doubled twice and had 2 RBIs. Kristen Cone singled twice and collected an RBI.