DECATUR – Rain played havoc with the Mississippi Association ofCoaches Slowpitch Softball All-Star Games Friday at Newton Countybut it couldn’t keep the North from sweeping both the Class 5A/4Aand the Class 1A/2A/3A action. After a 3-hour rain delay the1A/2A/3A slowpitch softball game started at 5:30. Class 4A/5A gamesstarted at 9:30.

The North swept the South 11-2 and 8-7 in Class 4A/5A action.Shortstop Terri Hodges of Brookhaven was named the South’s MostValuable Player. Teammate Katie Stewart played right-center in bothgames.

Stewart received the game ball for selling the mostadvertisements for the game program.

“We had a good crew but the North was loaded with hitters,” saidBrookhaven coach Lisa Covington who co-coached the South squad. “Iwas real excited for Terri. She had two very good games.”

Bogue Chitto’s Shaquille Burton played first base for the South1A/2A/3A squad. It was a new position for Burton who had playedoutfield extensively at Bogue Chitto, helping the Lady ‘Cats winthe Class 1A State championship last season.

In the second game, Burton dove for the bag on an infieldgrounder and dislocated her right pinkie finger. Burton was treatedfor the dislocation by a team trainer and returned to the game.

“Shaquille played a great game at first base for it being herfirst time,” said BC coach Scott Leggett. He said the South coachesencountered a shortage of infielders.

“She fit right in there and did it,” Leggett continued. “Shedidn’t make an error and and caught everything they threw ather.”

Burton plans to attend Alcorn State University this fall.

Nikki McCardle of Wesson also played for the South, playingfirst base and shortstop.

Marlika Ivy of Southeast Lauderdale was the South’s MVP.

In Saturday’s Class 1A/2A/3A fastpitch gamesSaturday, the South won both by scores of 4-3 in the opener in thefinale.

West Lincoln’s Holli Smith played second base in the all-stargames despite starting at catcher all season. Smith had four hits,including a sacrifice bunt, and played well on defense, too.

“Holli played very well,” said West Lincoln coach Andrew Redd.He also said Maggie Dunaway and Kaitlyn Perry of North Pike made agood showing.

Angelia Pope of Salem hit a 2-run triple in the second game tolift the South. She also was the winning pitcher and the SouthMVP.