JACKSON — The Bogue Chitto Lady ‘Cats settled for therunners-up spot in the Class 1A State Slowpitch SoftballChampionships for the second straight year. Myrtle’s Lady Hawksedged Bogue Chitto 9-7 in the first game Saturday and blew out the’Cats 21-2 in the nightcap at V.A. Fields.

Myrtle (31-5) secured its fifth state title in the last nineyears. The Lady Hawks last won it all in 2001.

Bogue Chitto (28-5) committed 4 errors in the opener but cameunglued in the second game when Myrtle exploded for 12 runs in thetop of the seventh.

“It was the wrong day to have a bad game against at good team,”said BC coach Scott Leggett. “Myrtle hit the ball like I expectedand we did not hit real well.

“I’m still extremely proud of my girls,” said Leggett. “They gotto the state championship twice. And they are the two-timedefending South State champions.”

Myrtle coach Robert Gordon was pleased with his team’stitle-winning performance. “I felt like we showed patience at theplate in the second half. The key for us was that grand slamhomer,” by shortstop Kim Cobb.

“Bogue Chitto has a good team but we were able to capitalize ontheir mistakes,” said Gordon added. “They misplayed some balls andwe took advantage of it.”

Myrtle 9, Bogue Chitto 7

In the first game, Myrtle overcame BC’s 3-0 first-inning lead.The Hawks’ 8-run third was decisive.

Two hits by Amber Williamson powered Myrtle’s 12-hit attack.Winning pitcher Chelsea Thomas walked 2 batters and struck outnone.

The Hawks rallied for 5 of their 8 third-inning runs with 2outs, capitalizing on BC mistakes.

Latoya Braxton, with 1 strikeout and 3 walks to her credit,absorbed the setback.

The ‘Cats were directed by leftfielder Kelli Howard who homeredand singled, collecting 4 RBI. Howard homered in the firstframe.

BC’s Chelsey Miller, Candace Avants and Devon Welch had 2 hitsapiece. Caitlyn Owen, Dori Hall, Meleah Brown and Braxtonsingled.

“We didn’t play Lady ‘Cats defense,” said Leggett. “I thinkMyrtle scored about seven unearned runs.”

Myrtle 21, Bogue Chitto 2

Cobb homered in Myrtle’s 5-run second inning. The Hawks led 9-1in the fourth as BC committed 6 errors.

Three hits by Danielle Hogue followed Cobb who had 4 hits.Collecting 2 hits were Thomas, Britney Jordan, and BrookFranks.

Bogue Chitto got 2 hits from Avants and Miller. Owen, Hall,Howard, Welch and Jessie Miller singled.

Brown sustained an injury to her throwing hand while playingshortstop but remained in the game.