Poplarville head coach Jonathan Ray was worried that after his Lady Hornets started the slow pitch softball season 13-0 and ranked number one in the state, that they might lose their intensity entering division play.

That hasn’t happened.

The Lady Hornets completed the first half of their Division 8-4A slate Tuesday night, with a resounding 19-2 win over South Jones.

The win improves Poplarville to 16-0 overall, and more importantly 3-0 in league play.

“We have played well the past week,” Ray said, after loop wins over Picayune, Forrest County AHS and the Lady Braves. “But we know we still have a lot left to accomplish and play for.”

Poplarville scored 11 runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a quick and commanding lead over South Jones.

Taylor Meyers, who also was the winning pitcher, slapped a two run single in the first to get the Lady Hornets on track.

Christian Cuevas had a triple and a double in the win for Poplarville, while Kayla Ross had a double and a single as well.

Poplarville will travel to Meridian on Saturday and play four games in that tournament before travelling to Picayune for a huge division game on Tuesday.

• And speaking of Picayune, the Lady Tide moved to 1-1 in division play with a big 11-1 win over visiting Forrest County AHS on Tuesday.

Picayune got three hits from Hillary Dickens, including a pair of doubles. She also picked up the pitching win.

Meanwhile Jessica Rancifer and Millie Gill also each had a pair of hits for Picayune.

The Lady Tide will travel to Ocean Springs on Thursday for a game.