Bogue Chitto and Lawrence County, two girls slowpitch softballteams with state championship dreams, want to bring home the titletrophies Saturday. BC’s Lady ‘Cats will play for the Class 1A titleagainst West Union and the LCHS Lady Cougars will battle New Hopefor the Class 4A crown.

The opening ceremony begins Saturday at 10:15 a.m., at V.A.Fields in Jackson. Each classification will play at best-of-threeseries, starting at 11 a.m. on adjacent fields.

Lady ‘Cats Rebound

Bogue Chitto’s Lady ‘Cats (20-14) were runners-up to WestLincoln in the Division 7-1A race but they produced an impressiverun through the playoffs and have reached the state finals for afourth straight year. They beat East Webster Tuesday night in abest-of-three series.

“I’m so proud of my girls over the last two weeks,” said BCcoach Scott Leggett. “They accept responsibility and they trusteach other. They have had to fight back and win a lot of ourgames.”

Leggett has 5 senior starters in right-centerfielder ShaquilleBurton, third baseman Jessie Miller, right fielder Kaitlin Owen,catcher Morgan Roberts and first baseman Mikki Mitchell. Miller,Burton and Owen are 3-year starters.

Junior starters are shortstop Kelli Howard, pitcher BlaineMyers, right-fielder Amanda Owen and courtesy runner Holly Miller.Freshman starters are left-fielder Josie Porter, second basemanBradi Davis and pitcher/outfielder Darcy Miller. Seventh graderAdrienne Wallace is a swift courtesy runner.

“We are a scrappy team and our younger players have stepped up,”said Leggett. “They are fighters.”

Leggett said his team is special. “This has been the hardestyear but it is the most memorable. We started out 5-0 and then westruggled. We were 11-12 two weeks ago.”

Leggett said West Union is similar to Bogue Chitto. “They weresecond in their division like us. I think they have 14 losses,too.

“They play good defense and they hit the ball hard.”

According to Leggett, his girls must maintain their focus andplay hard Saturday. “It takes faith and putting our trust in God.We must keep doing the things we’ve been doing.”

West Union (26-14) beat Smithville in the North State finalsTuesday, winning the third and decisive game. Ingomar, thedefending 1A state champion, was placed on probation for playingtoo many games during the regular season.

Lady Cougars In Finals

Coach Jill Haney’s LCHS Lady Cougars will face a formidable foein New Hope’s Lady Trojans (28-5) who had won five straight 4Astate titles before Petal won it last year. The Lady Cougars beatQuitman in a 3-game series Tuesday night for the South crown.

Bridgee Williams was the winning pitcher as LCHS (24-8) beatQuitman 9-5 in the third game. Shana Starks had 3 hits for thewinners. Contributing 2 hits apiece were Bridgee Williams, KristenSauls, Natalie Harrington and Sage Mabile.

Starting for Lawrence County are Starks, left centerfield;SMabile, right centerfield; Tyler Griffith, left field; Ali Harris,third base; Dee Dee Walker, short stop; Kate Davis, second; ShelbyMitchell, first base; Harrington, right field: Sauls, catcher andWilliams, pitcher.