WESSON – The Wesson Lady Cobras came back strong in the MHSAA Class 2A State Softball Playoffs. After a 3-1 Friday night loss to the host Union Lady Yellowjackets, Wesson rebounded and won twice Saturday, posting emotional-filled 4-0 and 3-2 triumphs.

There were tears of happiness on Wesson’s side of the field and tears of sadness in Union’s dugout.

Wesson (19-5) advances to the next round and visits Taylorsville Thursday. The Lady Cobras are home Saturday for Game 2 of the best-of-three series.

“It was a disappointing loss Friday night and a long ride home but our girls came out refocused and ready to play today,” said Wesson coach Jackie Johnson. “We got a little momentum and did what we had to do in the end.”

Union eliminated Wesson from the playoffs last year.

Wesson 4, Union 0

Senior leader Abbey Smith (1K, 4BB) pitched the 7-inning shutout in Saturday’s opener. She tossed a 2-hitter.

Whitlock (2K, 1BB) absorbed the loss. She scattered 7 hits.

Wesson got a single from McQuage. Brown hit a 2-run doubled. Sarah Robinson and Bailey Middleton had 2 singles apiece.

Wesson 3, Union 2

Union left the bases loaded in the top of the seventh.

Abbey Smith (1K, 5BB) gave up 6 hits in the victory.

Brett Whitlock (0K, 2BB) gave up 6 hits in the loss.

The Lady Cobras got a triple from Macie McQuage. Sarah Robinson singled twice. Smith singled. Taylor Smith doubled and Bailey Middleton singled. Ashton Newman had an RBI. Middleton’s bunt scored a run.

Wesson took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Robinson singled and advanced on Middleton’s sacrifice bunt. Newman’s grounder scored Robinson

In the 2-run fourth, Robinson and Taylor Smith doubled. Middleton bunts to score the second run. An illegal pitch allowed Wesson’s third run to score.

The Jackets scored once in the fourth and once in the fifth.

Union 3, Wesson 1

Abbey Smith (2K, 3BB) gave up 5 hits in Friday’s loss.

Brett Whitlock (4K, 0BB) was the winning pitcher. She gave up 4 hits.

The Lady Cobras got a triple from Smith. Hanna Brown singled twice and had an RBI. Macie McQuage singled.