RIDGELAND – Bogue Chitto coach Scott Leggett paused for a momentto wipe sweat from his face as his Lady Cats celebrated their Class1A Fastpitch Softball State Championship title Saturday afternoon.On a hot and muggy day, Leggett’s girls rebounded from a lopsided10-0 Friday night loss to the Smithville Lady Seminoles to wintwice Saturday at Freedom Ridge Park.

Bogue Chitto won a 1-0 squeaker late Saturday morning to avoid aSmithville sweep and then knocked off the Seminoles 6-2 in thedecisive third game.

“What a difference a day makes,” said Leggett. “I’m extremelyproud of the girls. It was a team effort.”

Freshman pitcher Rheagan Welch rose to the occasion in Games Twoand Three as the Cats (21-9) claimed their first-ever fastpitchcrown. In the finale, it was a tight pitching duel until the top ofthe seventh when Adrienne Wallace walked to the plate and smashed abased-loaded double, padding BC’s 3-2 lead.

“Rheagan did a great job pitching and Adrienne stepped up with abig hit in the seventh.”

Welch (2 K, 4 BB) scattered six hits in the finale. Losingpitcher Meagan Whitehead (2 K, 2 BB) hit one batter and alternatedtime in the circle with junior Kami Roberts (2 K, 0 BB) who hadhurled a 1-hit shutout Friday night.

A 2-run homer by Roberts had given Smithville a 2-1 lead in thefirst inning. Welch held the Seminoles scoreless the rest of theway and her teammates played flawless defense.

BC catcher Darcy Miller scored the game’s first run on athrowing error by Roberts. In the top of the third, Mattie Avantssingled to score Kerri McGehee with the tying run. Josie Porterdoubled to score Avants and give BC a 3-2 lead.

“We made too many errors and we didn’t hit the ball well today,”said Smithville coach Jeremy Duke. “Bogue Chitto did a good jobbattling us. We struggled all day to get things going.”

Kelsey Watson had two hits for Smithville (27-8), which wasmaking its third straight appearance in the finals.

Bogue Chitto 1, Smithville 0

Welch authored a 2-hitter, striking out seven batters andwalking three. Roberts (3 K, 0 BB) allowed five hits in thepitchers’ duel.

BC plated the winning run in the third. An RBI single by Avantsscored McGehee.

Bradi Davis had two hits for the Cats who didn’t commit an errorin the fast-paced game.

Smithville 10, Bogue Chitto 0

The ‘Noles made short work of BC in Friday’s 5-inning game. Theyled 8-zip after two innings and evoked the 10-run rule in thefifth.

BC committed seven errors and were unable to solve Roberts (3 K,0 BB) who tossed a 1-hitter. Losing pitcher Toy Smith (0 K, 5 BB)gave up five hits and hit two batters.

“Costly errors and we didn’t’ hit the ball,” said Coach Leggett.Avants collected his team’s only hit.

“We took advantage of their (BC’s) mistakes,” said Coach Duke.”But tomorrow will be a different game and we will have tobattle.”

The Noles got a double and a single from Whitney Fears.