Eight area schools still in hunt for championships

By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
April 23, 2002
Eight area schools will be out to extend their seasons at least one more week when baseball and softball playoff action resumes this week.
In Mississippi Private School Association baseball action, defending Academy Class A state champion Heidelberg Academy begins its title defense tonight at 6 p.m. at Flora against Tri-County Academy in a best-of-three series. Action comes to Heidelberg on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. with two games to be played, if necessary.
The 9-6-1 Newton County Academy Generals host University Christian, 18-6, today at 4 p.m. in Game 1 of their best-of-three series. The series continues at Flowood Thursday at 4:30 p.m. with a second game, if needed, to be played at 7 p.m.
After the public schools take most of this week off for statewide testing, the Mississippi High School Activities Association baseball playoffs resume on Friday with four area teams still alive. All four hit the road Friday before hosting their respective Game 2s on Saturday. Third games, if needed, would be on the road Monday.
In Class 5A, Meridian, 31-5 after receiving a forfeit from West Lauderdale, takes on Moss Point, 15-14. Both needed three games to get out of the opening round. The Wildcats turned back Petal 9-4 Saturday, while Moss Point nipped Long Beach 5-3 in the third game of that series with a two-out, three-run homer by Eric Butler in the sixth inning keeping the Tigers' season alive.
Game 1 is set for 6 p.m. Friday at Moss Point with Game 2 Saturday at 4 p.m. at John Moss Field. A third game, if needed, would be at Moss Point on Monday with the time yet to be decided.
In Class 4A, Quitman, 25-7, gets a tough draw against powerful Picayune, 29-1. The Maroon Tide was ranked No. 17 nationally last week by Baseball America and No. 18 by USA Today.
Game 1 is slated for Friday at 6 p.m. at the Picayune Baseball Complex with Game 2 Saturday at 6 p.m. at Quitman. A third game, if needed, would be at 6 p.m. Monday at Picayune.
Class 3A action finds Philadelphia, 18-9, squaring off against Greene County, 29-4. Game 1 is set for Friday at 7 p.m. at Leakesville with Game 2 Saturday at 1 p.m. at Burnside Park outside Philadelphia. A third game, if needed, would be Monday at 7 p.m. back at Leakesville.
In Class 1A, Union, 19-12, takes on Natchez Cathedral, 15-9. Game 1 is set for 6 p.m. Friday at Chester Willis Field in Natchez. Game 2 would be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Union's Laird Park. A third game, if needed, would be back at Natchez Monday at 6 p.m.
In fast-pitch softball action, Clarkdale and Newton County continue their quests for state championships and both open series on the road.
Clarkdale, 27-9-1, travels to Vicksburg to meet the 18-5 St. Aloysius Lady Flashes Saturday at 2 p.m. A third game, if needed, would be at Clarkdale on Monday with the time yet to be decided.
Newton County, 32-5, hits the highway to face Richland, 12-6. Saturday's doubleheader is set for 2 p.m. with Monday's third game, if needed, slated for 6 p.m. at Decatur.