Lady Tide Wins South State; Sweeps Moss Point 7-5; 12-5

by Carey Meitzler

Cassie Rabion hit a two run home run in the bottom of the 7th inning to break a 5-5 tie

to give Picayune Game 1 by a score of 7-5 over Moss Point before a jam packed, fired-up

home crowd of the Maroon Tide Nation. The Tide captured the second game 12-5 to earn

a place in Saturday's State Championship best of 3 series in Jackson.

Coach Kristi Mitchell (center) instructs her team as  Assistant Coach

Jason Childs looks on in Game 1  of South State

Rabion's homer came after she had apparently reached first on an error by the Moss Point

pitcher attempting to catch a fly ball in front of home plate.  At first, the home plate umpire ruled

her safe after the ball was touched and rolled into foul territory.  After a brief discussion with

the base umpires, Rabion was sent back to the batter's box to continue her at-bat.  Two pitches

later, she launched her game winner with Amanda Feeley, who singled to lead off the inning,

on first base.

Cassie Rabion watches her game winning home run in Game 1 of South State.

In Game 2, Picayune was the visiting team and wasted no time as they scored 3 times in the

top of the first inning.  A two run home run from Amanda Feeley with Krystal aboard and a solo

shot by Breonne Spikes put the Tide up 3-0.  Moss Point got two runs in the bottom of the inning.

Picayune got a single run in the top of the 3rd when Deawn Breland, courtesy runner for Rabion

who singled off the top of the centerfield fence, scored on a Spikes triple to make it 4-2.

The Lady Tide blew it open in the top of the 4th scoring seven runs to take an 11-2 lead.  With

one out,  Allison "Dink" Bynum Tara Dunn singled just inside the bag at third.  Hope Guidry

followed with a pinch hit single and both runners advanced to second and third on an overthrow

on the play.  Tara Dunn singled  to right field to score Bynum. Courtney Dickens singled to plate

Guidry and Krystal Penton doubled to push across Dunn. Amanda "Load" Feeley reached on

an error, with Dickens scoring on the play.  Rabion doubled to push across Penton. Spikes 

then doubled to bring home Breland (courtesy runner for Rabion) and Feeley.

Krystal Penton unloads on a pitch in Game 1 of the Tide's dramatic 7-5 win.

Moss Point scored three runs in the bottom of the 4th to cut the lead to 11-5.   Picayune 

added an insurance run in the 6th inning when Spikes singled home Krystal Penton who

reached on a fielder's choice.

After being drenched with the ceremonial cooler of ice water, Coach Kristi Mitchell was

elated about her team's performance.

"I could not be more proud of these young ladies then I am at this very moment. What an

exciting time for Picayune and especially Lady Tide Softball. This is a hard working team

and the South State Championship is well deserved. "

But she conceded, she doesn't think they are done yet.

"We still have a taste in our mouth for two more wins and there is still much work to be

done before Saturday. This is a very sweet victory especially because of all the ruckus

that went on about the field dimensions. I am just so proud of Coach Jason (Childs) and

the girls and all the hard work that is being rewarded."

The Tide will play the winner of the North 5A (Grenada or Tupelo) at the VA fields.