WESSON — Sophomore third baseman Meleah Brown believes theCo-Lin Lady Wolves are stronger and deeper than last year. Add ahealthy amount of team chemistry to the mix and Co-Lin is bent onwinning state and regional championships.

Co-Lin qualified for the state tournament Tuesday, sweepingJones County Junior College in a South Division twinbill, 7-0 and7-2. It was the final home appearance for Brown and 5 sophomoreteammates.

“We got two big wins today,” said Brown, a Bogue Chitto product.She had 2 doubles and 3 singles in the sweep.

“We have the potential to win state and regional,” Brown pointedout. “We have good chemistry on this team, too. We have a strongerlineup. Everybody hits the ball.”

Coach Allen Kent’s Lady Wolves (23-10, 10-4) visit archrivalSouthwest Saturday for a 10 a.m. twinbill at Summit. Kent said thestate tournament (April 25-26) will be held at the site of theCentral Division champion, probably Hinds in Raymond.

“It’s good to be finishing strong in division play,” said CoachKent. “I’m proud of my girls. They stepped up and played well,especially with the state tournament berth on the line.

“We got some solid pitching and good hitting but we still left23 runners on base,” Kent continued. “We played very welldefensively, with only one error.”

Co-Lin 7, Jones Co. 0

In the opener, sophomore pitcher Becca Bailey handcuffed JCJC’sLady Bobcats with a 4-hitter. She struck out 6 batters, walked 1and hit 1 batter.

“It’s been awesome playing for Co-Lin,” said Bailey, a 5-6right-hander from Baton Rouge, La. “It’s been hard work but I’mhaving a lot of fun. I hope we can go back to nationals.”

Bailey sustained a torn ACL in her left knee during preseasonpractice. She wears a brace to protect the knee as she tries toignore the pain.

She said her changeup was working well against Jones. “I alwaysget them (batters) on the changeup. That’s always been my go-topitch.”

JCJC coach Grant Crowder said Bailey’s pitching was impressive.”She can throw that changeup any time in the count. I’m glad Co-Linonly has her for one year.”

At the plate, Brown went 3-for-5, collecting 2 RBIs. EmilyLangley and Ashley Jones each had 2 hits.

The Wolves plated 7 runs in the third inning and sealed thewin.

Co-Lin 7, Jones Co. 2

The Bobcats (19-16, 4-8) gained a 1-1 deadlock in the secondinning of the finale but Co-Lin quickly regained the lead. Brownsingled, stole second and third base, then scored on the catcher’shigh throw to third.

Welch, a freshman from Bogue Chitto, doubled twice in thevictory. Her bunt single scored Emily Langley who had led off witha bunt. It was 3-1.

Co-Lin plated 3 runs in the fourth. Welch delivered abases-loaded double over the leftfielder’s head, making it 5-2.Alex Foster’s ground-out scored Becca Boone with the third run ofthe inning and it was 6-2.

Welch, playing second base, finished with 3 hits. Sykes, workingat shortstop, had 2 hits.

On the mound, Kayla Crochet started and went 3 innings. Shestruck out 3 batters, walked 1 and allowed 1 run on 5 hits.

Rebecca Rousseau (5 Ks, 0 BB) replaced Crochet and finished thegame. She gave up 1 run on 3 hits.

Ashley Cassidy started for JCJC and was replaced by freshmansouthpaw Katie Hollifield in the fifth.