Local teams like Brookhaven, Bogue Chitto, Wesson, West Lincoln,Franklin County, North Pike and McComb cleared their first hurdlein the first round of MHSAA slowpitch softball state playoffs. Eachteam made a valuable step in the right direction in hopes of makinga trip to Jackson to play for the State Championship Oct 16.

Now the teams must gear up for a battle in the second round thatstarts on Saturday Oct 9. Here is an outlook for the games in thisarea. Each match is a best-of-three series.

The Brookhaven Lady Panthers (18-8), coached by Lisa Covington, arethe defending 5A South State Champions of 2009. The Panthers sweptWest Jones in two games winning 12-4 and 12-1 in the openinground.

BHS will have to travel to Ocean Springs for the second round toface the St. Martin Lady Yellow Jackets. Game time is 1 p.m.

The West Lincoln Lady Bears (8-14), coached by Andrew Redd, are thetwo-time defending 1A South State Champions. The Bears took threegame to eliminate Sebastopol; losing the first game 2-1, butrallied back to capture the second game 9-8 and third game14-10.

West Lincoln returns home to host the second round against theEthel Lady Tigers. Game time is 3 p.m.

The Bogue Chitto Lady Cats (20-6), coached by Scott Leggett, arelooking to become the first county team to capture the slowpitchsoftball and fastpitch softball championship gold in the same year.The Cats scores 39 runs in two games as they crushed the youngMount Olive Lady Pirates in two games that lasted about 2 1/2innings.

Now, Bogue Chitto has set their sites on Noxapater as the Cats willhost the Lady Tigers. Game time is 2 p.m.

The Wesson Lady Cobras (10-10), coached by Jackie Johnson, lookedsharp as they had a quick workout against the Lumberton LadyPanthers winning 12-0 and 14-1 in two games.

The Cobras will play a tougher opponent Saturday as they host theEnterprise-Clarke Lady Bulldogs Game time is 3 p.m.

The Franklin County Lady Bulldogs (16-6), coached by Dana Smith,had no problems in defeating the St. Patrick Lady Irish 10-4 and8-1 Tuesday.

Franklin County will host Clarkdale in a battle of the Bulldogs.Game time is 5 p.m.

The North Pike Lady Jaguars (21-5), coached by Sonya Wallace, gotoff to a slow start early but regain their composure to eliminatethe Columbia Wildcats in two games, winning 6-5 and 21-6.

The Jags are prepared to host the Quitman Lady Panthers. Game timeis 5 p.m.

The McComb Lady Tigers (13-15), coached by Cody Hall, had to battleWayne County three games to end the Lady War Eagles season. TheTigers won 9-4 in the first game, lost the second game 9-6 andcaptured a 10-5 victory in the finale.

McComb returns home to host the Picayune Lady Maroon Tide. Gametime is 1 p.m.

The third round of the State Playoffs begins Tuesday Oct. 12.