The West Lincoln Lady Bears will play the Smithville LadySeminoles Saturday for the Class 1A State Slowpitch SoftballChampionship at Veterans Field in Jackson. The first game in thebest-of-three series begins at 11 a.m.

West Lincoln (25-8) eliminated Stringer (22-6) in the SouthState finals Tuesday night at West Lincoln. Stringer won the opener2-0. West Lincoln came back to win the second game 2-1 and thedeciding third contest 8-3.

Smithville eliminated Ingomar in the North State finals.

“We caught a break in the sixth inning in the third game with afew errors from Stringer,” said West Lincoln head coach AndrewRedd. “We finally started to hit the ball in that inning. I amproud of the way the girls hung in there and played together.

“Stringer played a great game,” continued Redd. “This was threevery good games we had today. But I was glad to get the win and winSouth State for the first time for my girls.”

In the series, the winning pitcher was Jessica Franklin (25-8)with a combined 2 strikeouts and 10 intentional walks. CambriMcQueen (1-3) fanned 1 batter and walked 1 batter.

“We did not hit the ball well in the second and third games,”said Stringer coach David Mosley. “We made too many errors as well.West Lincoln took the bat away from our best hitter (AaronHerrrington),” who received all 10 intentional walks.

“And we struggled with that all night. West Lincoln tookadvantage of errors and scored runs.”

Stringer 2, West Lincoln 0

In the first game, the Bears committed 4 errors to the RedDevils’ 1. Stringer outhit West Lincoln 6-2 at the plate.

Julie Case and Keri Easley singled for the Bears.

Singling for the Red Devils were Ciera Keller, Anna Walters,Madison Sumrall, Jessica Upton, Josie Kelley and MackenzieMcAlphine.

West Lincoln 2, Stringer 1

The Bears came back from a 1-0 deficit in the top of the thirdwith a pair of runs for a 2-1 lead and eventual win over the RedDevils. Alexis Cook smashed a 2-run triple down the right fieldline to put the Bears on top.

Cook powered West Lincoln with a triple and a single. LainaLaird and Stephanie Smith ripped 2 singles apiece. Case hitsafely.

Singling for Stringer were Porshe Dyer, Robyn Brady, Keller,McQueen and Walters.

The Red Devils made 3 errors in the game. The Bears committedjust 1.

West Lincoln 8, Stringer 3

In the deciding game, Stringer led 3-0 after three innings andremained on top until the bottom of the sixth. West Lincolnexploded for 8 runs for the 8-3 lead.

In the sixth. Cook doubled for the Bears to score two runs andtie the game 3-all. Easley’s double gave West Lincoln a 4-3 lead.Haley Ainsworth doubled to score 2 more runs for the 6-3 lead.

The Bears posted 9 hits for the Red Devils 6. Stringer committed4 errors to West Lincoln’s 1.

Ainsworth added a second double for the Bears. Easley and Caseeach singled twice. McCaffrey and Smith singled.

For the Red Devils, Keller led with a double and a single.Sumrall and McQueen both doubled. Walker and Kelley hit safely.