West Lauderdale defeated Itawamba Agricultural 3-1 on May 14 in Game 1 of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 4A softball state championship series at USM Softball Complex in Hattiesburg.
The win gives West Lauderdale an early advantage in the best-of-three series, bringing them closer to a state title. The team improved its season record to 36-5, while Itawamba Agricultural dropped to 31-5-1.
Addison Cornish led West Lauderdale with a home run and one RBI, finishing the game 1-for-3 at bat. Sara Grace Robison contributed with a double and two RBIs, going 1-for-2. Presleigh Wade earned the win for West Lauderdale by pitching six and two-thirds innings, allowing one run on five hits with two strikeouts and no walks. Cornish came in as relief to record the final out.
For Itawamba Agricultural, Layla Owens pitched six innings, giving up three runs on four hits while striking out seven and walking five. Abbie Robertson went 2-for-3 at bat, and Adalee Abbott hit a triple during the game.
Key moments included West Lauderdale scoring two runs in the fifth inning after Itawamba Agricultural had tied the score in the third. Other highlights were doubles from Kylie Smith and Sara Grace Robison for West Lauderdale; a triple by Adalee Abbott for Itawamba; stolen bases by Mollie McGee (Itawamba) and Aubri Cooper (West Lauderdale); as well as solid defensive plays throughout.
Game officials included Michael Woods behind home plate, Don Fayard at first base, and Nathan Howard at third base. The game started at 12:11 p.m., lasted one hour and thirty-two minutes under clear skies with temperatures around seventy-nine degrees.
