DECATUR — On a scorching, sweat-soaked Saturday, theMississippi Association of Coaches showcased its slowpitch andfastpitch all-star games at Newton County. Brookhaven pitcherBrittany Smith and Lawrence County infielder Emily Smith helped theSouth gain a split in the Class 4A/5A slowpitch showcase whichbegan yesterday morning at 9 o’clock.

In the opener, the North won 8-5, but the South romped 20-4 inthe nightcap. Brittany Smith pitched in both games. She went fourinnings in the opener and three in the nightcap.

“It would have been nice to win both games but it was good towin one of them,” said Smith. “We practiced a lot and had a lot offun.” She doubled and singled at the plate.

Lawrence County’s Emily Smith played second base for the South.She had a triple.

In Class 1A/2A/3A fastpitch action, Bogue Chitto pitcher MeleahBrown started for the South and absorbed the loss. The Northovercame a 2-run deficit and won 5-4 in the bottom of theseventh.

Loyd Star’s Amber Restivo started at second base in the opener.West Lincoln’s Britnee Smith started at catcher and moved to secondbase. She caught the entire second game.

The South lost 3-1 to the North in the second game. The Northcapitalized on 3 South throwing errors to score twice.

Pitcher Kate Moreland of East Webster was South MVP.

In last night’s Class 4A/5A fastpitch opener, the North won 5-1,capitalizing on a bases-loaded single and an error.

Brookhaven’s Ashley Sykes tripled in her first at-bat and scoredthe South’s only run. She started at shortstop.

The games were running over one hour behind schedule.