South Panola defeated George County 8-7 in eight innings on May 15 at the USM Softball Complex in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to win the 2026 MHSAA Softball State Championships.
The game determined the Class 6A champion and featured a dramatic finish. Olivia Phillips was named Most Valuable Player after going 2-for-3 with three runs batted in, including a sacrifice fly that tied the game in the seventh inning. South Panola improved its season record to 32-4-1, while George County finished at 29-8.
The deciding run came with two outs in the bottom of the eighth when Hailey Heafner singled to right-center field to score Georgia Phillips. South Panola scored twice in that inning after George County had taken a one-run lead on Addison Davis’ RBI double at the top of the frame.
George County led by two runs after Paisley Pipkins hit a three-run inside-the-park home run in the sixth inning. South Panola responded by tying it up during their final regulation at-bat with Phillips’ sacrifice fly and Hannah Robertson scoring on a throwing error.
Grady Beck Wilson earned the win for South Panola, pitching all eight innings and allowing seven runs—three earned—on nine hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Addison Davis took the loss for George County, giving up four runs—two earned—on three hits over five and two-thirds innings.
Hannah Robertson contributed significantly for South Panola by going 2-for-3 with a home run, double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Heafner also went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI. For George County, Pipkins drove in three runs while Blakely Slay went 2-for-3 with an RBI and one run scored.
The championship concluded another competitive season for both teams.
