The West Lincoln Lady Bears secured first place in the Division7-1A slowpitch softball race by defeating Salem’s girls 7-1 Mondayat West Lincoln’s field. The Lady Bears (22-8, 8-2) edged BogueChitto (19-10, 8-2) for the top rung, based on its 2-game sweep ofthird place Salem.

West Lincoln, coached by Andrew Redd, will host the Pisgah LadyDragons on Saturday in the opening round of the state playoffs. Itwill be a best-of-three series.

“We hit the ball and played defense well,” said Redd. “Salem hasa good defense.”

Winning pitcher Brittani Phillips struck out 1 batter and walked2. Losing hurler Amber Spence walked 2 batters.

At the plate, West Lincoln finished with 12 hits, led by BritneeSmith who homered, double and singled. Alicia Kennedy singled twiceand doubled. Holli smith and Lyndsay Franklin doubled. Megan Nealand Kelsey Bass both had 2 hits.

“We did not hit the ball well,” said Salem coach Bryan Martin.”We played good defense. I’m glad to make the playoffs for thefirst time.”

Under the new Mississippi High School Activities Associationformat, the top four teams out of each division advance to theplayoffs. The No. 1 and No. 2 teams host opening round games whilehe third and fourth place teams must travel.

Salem (10-5, 5-5) accounted for 8 hits and committed 2 errors.Two singles by Latandra Montgomery and a double by Pam Martin ledthe Lady Wildcats in batting. Britany Laird, Jamie Ginn, CarlaBarnes and Alex Pigott singled.

Smith homered in the third inning to give West Lincoln a 2-0 andbreak a scoreless duel.