Both Picayune and Poplarville came up with key league wins in prep slow pitch softball action on Tuesday night, setting up a big showdown for first place between the two Pearl River County rivals on Thursday in Poplarville.

The Lady Hornets, the two time defending division champions, smashed visiting Forrest County AHS on Tuesday night 18-0.

Poplarville banged out 18 hits in the win, moving to 8-2 overall and 2-0 in league play.

“I told the girls after the game that we finally hit like we are capable of,” Poplarville head coach Jonathan Ray said. “Hopefully we can continue to hit that way.”

Megan Ladner and Chelsea Theriot enjoyed big games for the Lady Hornets at the plate, as Ladner hit a home run and had three hits and drove in five runs as well while Theriot had three hits including a home run and a double and drove in four runs in the win.

Kayla Fendalson, Erin Cutrer and Paige Miller each had two hits in the winning cause, while Allysa Grater was the winning pitcher in the shutout.

• Picayune remained tied atop the league standings with Poplarville, as the Lady Tide took a 7-1 win over visiting South Jones.

Picayune now stands 12-2 on the season overall and 2-0 in the loop.

“I am happy with where we are so far. I am excited about how we are playing,” veteran Picayune head coach Kristie Mitchell said. “Maybe this will give us a little momentum heading to Poplarville.”

Brandi Rabion and Taylor Seals had three hits apiece to pace Picayune, while Tiffany Devore and Malllorie Mixon added two hits apiece.

Hillary and Dickens and Tiffany Reed each had RBI-doubles, while Sarah Dodd was the winning pitcher.

The teams will meet in a JV game at 6 p.m., Thursday before the varsity follows at 7 p.m.

That game will mark the end of the first round of round-robin play in league action for both.