Regular season competition ended in grand style for the playoff-bound East Central Community College fast-pitch softball team, which claimed a pair of contests Monday from Southwest Mississippi Community College and captured its first MACJC South Division title under seventh year head coach Scott Hill and second year assistant Kristin Chaney.  

The Lady Diamond Warriors, who improved to 39-8-1 overall and 17-7 in league play, have now set their sights on this week’s MACJC State Softball Tournament, scheduled Thursday-Friday, April 29-30, at Itawamba Community College in Fulton. Tournament brackets will be available later in the week.

Hill, whose overall record at EC stands at 229-90-1 and includes three MACJC Central Division titles, said he is “especially proud” of this year’s team, which is obviously a strong favorite to win its first state championship. 

“We are excited about our season and how well the team has consistently played and persevered all year,” said Hill. “We look forward to continuing our success in the post-season.”

In the wins over Southwest, the Lady Diamond Warriors cruised 8-0 in the first contest then rallied from a late 4-0 deficit to claim a 5-4 decision in the nightcap to complete the sweep.

Four players had three hits each to lead the EC offense in the opener. Hailey Chisolm of Neshoba Central, Brittany Cochran, a product of Newton County High School and Leake Academy product Hannah Lee of Philadelphia, each had a double and two singles, and Kasie Buckley, also of Newton County, belted three singles. Cochran was the top run producer with three RBIs.

Other sluggers included Summer Alexander of Newton County, double and single; Lauren Nicholas of Neshoba Central, double; and Morgan Malone of Madison Central, single.

Taylor Bailey was the winning pitcher in the six-inning contest and improved to 17-6 on the season. Bailey, a product of Bowie High School in Austin, Texas, allowed just five hits and fanned three batters in recording the shutout.

In the second game, EC erased a 4-0 deficit by scoring two runs in the fifth inning and three in the sixth for the one-run victory.

Lee led the offense with three singles and knocked in two runs. Other sluggers were Cochran, two singles; Nicholas, triple; and Chisolm, Buckley and Paige Holsen of Union, singles each. Chisolm, Holsen and Malone were also credited with an RBI each.

Bailey was again the winning pitcher in relief and improved to 18-6. She hurled three innings, allowing three runs on five hits. She also fanned three batters. Buckley was the starter and allowed one run on four hits. She also fanned three batters.

Prior to the first game, a ceremony was held honoring sophomore players Sierra Farlow, Emily Breland and Hailey Chisolm, all of Neshoba Central; Brittany Cochran of Newton County; Paige Holsen of Union; and Hannah Lee of Leake Academy; and manager Monica James, also of Leake Academy.