Bogue Chitto coach Scott Leggett and his Lady Cats fell just one game short of clinching their fourth 1A State Championship in seven years.

Bogue Chitto captured the Region 7-1A crown with a perfect 3-0 record. In the playoffs, the Lady Cats eliminated Sebastopol, Nanih Waiya and Ethel in two games each to advance to the title series.

In the state championship contest, the Lady Cats’ beat Smithville 10-7 in the opener, before falling to Smithville in two straight games, 7-0 and 6-4.

Bogue Chitto finished the season with a 26-8 record overall.

Leggett has been named The Daily Leader’s All-Area Coach of the Year for 2016.

“It is a great honor to be named as the All-Area softball coach of the year,” said Leggett. “We have great coaches in this area who do a fantastic job with their teams. I want to thank our girls here at Bogue Chitto. They are the ones who bring us success.”

“We had a great season,” he said. “This was our fourth state championship to play in the past seven years. Although we came up a little short, the girls did a fantastic job this season.”

Leggett said several talented players stepped up in their run for the state championship. His starting lineup was Zariah Matthews at center field, Cherie Savoie at left field, Terrah Nelson at shortstop, Codi Leggett at third base, Christian Black at pitcher, Reagan Kirkland at first base, Julianna Frazier at designated player, Baileigh Jackson at catcher, Karly Leake at second base and Stevie Montgomery at flex-right field.

Other members on the squad: Kayci Beth Wallace, Alece Nettles, Rainie Welch, Payton Barron, Destiny Wallace, Gracie Guynes, Alana Nettles, Kylie Chapman, Shyann Jackson and Tasia Black.

The team posted an overall battling average of .356 and accounted for 50 doubles and 206 RBIs.

Leggett shared his goals for next season.

“We will keep on doing what we have always done,” he said. “We had several young players start for us this season. They gained a lot of experience.”

Leggett said he loves the community support and bragged on both parents and the administration.

The Lady Cats will lose four seniors to graduation – Christian Black, Zariah Matthews, Alana Nettles and Brook Myers – but will still have a talented group returning next season.

Leggett teaches U.S. history, American government, economics, slow-pitch softball and fast-pitch softball at Bogue Chitto.

Leggett’s assistant coach is his wife Denise. They have two children, Alyssa and Knox. He enjoys going on vacations with his family and watching his children play baseball and softball. He also enjoys watching sports, especially the New England Patriots.