JACKSON — The New Hope Lady Trojans captured their fourthstraight Class 4A Slowpitch Softball State Championship Saturday atVA Field, sweeping the Lawrence County Lady Cougars. New Hope wonthe opener 15-12 and the nightcap 16-9.

New Hope (34-3) exploded for 37 hits in the doubleheader toclaim another title for head coach Cary Shepherd who retired fromteaching last year. Lawrence County ends its best-ever season at31-6.

Lawrence County head coach Tarvey Ward said his Lady Cougarsgave a good effort against a powerful New Hope squad. “We playedwell against a good hitting team. We couldn’t get the hits when weneeded them most. We are proud of our girls and the way they playedall season.”

Ward’s team accounted for 29 hits and 7 errors in thetwinbill.

Shepherd’s girls handed out goody bags after they exchangedhandshakes with Lawrence County’s players after the games. Each bagcontained candy and a player’s favorite scripture from theBible.

“For the last couple of years we play a closer walk with God,”explained Shepherd. “This game was to honor our Father in Heavenand his son, Jesus Christ.

“We got a tremendous effort from our seniors, both on and offthe field,” Shepherd added. “Our young girls had that moment in thespotlight. We hope to keep the tradition going.”

New Hope 15, Lawrence Co. 12

The Lady Trojans roared to a 10-3 lead in the opener. Theyscored 3 runs in the top of the seventh to lead 15-11.

Rachel Baucon was the winning pitcher, striking out 1 batter.Stacy Smith absorbed the loss, fanning 1 and walking 3.

At the plate, New Hope was led by Tori Harris who homered andsingled. Nikki Petty had 4 hits. Mallory McBrayer added 3 hits.Regan Aultman, Jhirre Bush and Courtney Gordon chipped in 2hits.

The Lady Cougars got a double and a single from leadoff batterAllie Williamson. Heather Sanders had 3 hits. Kaila Givens, CoriWalker, Kelly Stokes and Smith had 2 hits. Ashley Autman, EmilySmith and Maygan McCloud singled.

New Hope 16, Lawrence Co. 9

The Lady Cougars took a 5-0, second-inning lead but New Hopeexploded for 7 runs in the bottom of the second. An 8-run sixthinning secure the victory.

McBrayer homered and singled to pace New Hope. Bush singledtwice and tripled. Perry had 4 singles. Harris had 3 hits andShakime Nickelson 2.

A homer and a triple by sophomore shortstop Emily Smith led theLady Cougars in batting. Stacy Smith tripled and singled. Stokesand Williamson both doubled and singled. McCloud tripled and Autmandoubled. Walker had 2 hits and Sanders singled.

On the mound, Baucon got the win and Smith absorbed the loss.Both pitchers walked 2 batters.