Brookhaven and Bogue Chitto, two Lincoln County slowpitchsoftball teams with state championship dreams, tackle their nexthurdle today in the South State finals. Brookhaven visits EastCentral at Hurley in Class 4A and Bogue Chitto hosts Union in Class1A in best-of-three series.

The Brookhaven-East Central series starts at 4 p.m. Bogue Chittomeets Union at 5 p.m. in the first game. State championship gamesare Saturday at V.A. Fields in Jackson.

In the North 4A finals today, New Hope (31-4) is at Amory(25-7). In North 1A, Ingomar (28-7) is at Myrtle (27-8).

Brookhaven’s Lady Panthers (28-5), coached byLisa Covington, won their South semifinals series last Saturday atthe Hansel King Sportsplex. They defeated Petal in three games,winning the opener 7-2 and the finale 8-7 in 8 innings. Petal hadtaken the second game 13-5.

Ashley Sykes led Brookhaven with a homer, 2 singles and 2 RBI inthe opener. She provided the game-winning hit in the nightcap,driving in Lauren Smith.

Christi Martin homered for Brookhaven. Brittany Smith was thewining pitcher.

“We have to hit the ball better against East Central,” saidCoach Covington. “We are excited about being in the finals.”

East Central (12-9) is recognized as powerhouse in fastpitchsoftball. The Lady Hornets eliminated Quitman in the Southslowpitch semifinals last week.

Bogue Chitto (25-9), coached by Scott Leggett,eliminated Division 7-1A champion West Lincoln last Saturday atWest Lincoln. The Lady ‘Cats won the opener 5-4 and the finale 3-2,dropping the second game 8-1.

“Winning that first game was very crucial,” said Leggett. “I’mextremely proud of my girls.”

Home runs by Brynna Wallace and Latoya Braxton helped the Lady’Cats overcome a 4-2, seventh-inning deficit to beat West Lincolnin the opener. Braxton was the winning pitcher in the series.

In the decisive third game, Chelsey Miller led the Lady ‘Catswith a double and 2 singles. Candace Avants had 3 hits.

Union (26-7), a longtime power in slowpitch, is the defendingstate champion. The Lady Yellowjackets have eliminated West Lincolnfrom the playoffs the last two years.