By CURTIS ROCKWELL

Item Sports Editor

Both Poplarville and Picayune wrapped up spots in the upcoming Class 4A South State slow pitch softball playoffs with wins on Thursday.

Poplarville, the two time defending division champion, remained in first place with a 5-0 league mark as the Lady Hornets beat Forrest County AHS 14-0 on the road.

The win leaves the Lady Hornets at 12-2 overall.

Megan Ladner had three hits including a triple and drove in two runs in the win for Poplarville, while Kayla Fendalson had two hits including a triple and drove in two as well.

Erin Cutrer had two hits and a game high four RBI’s in the winning cause, and Brandi Rester had three hits as well as Poplarville banged out 20 hits.

Allysa Graeter picked up the pitching win for Poplarville.

• Picayune, meanwhile, remained in second place in the league with a 4-1 mark as the Lady Tide beat South Jones 13-1 on the road.

Picayune broke out the big sticks in the win, as the Lady Tide smashed three home runs and moved to 14-3 overall in the easy win.

Tiffany Reed and Mallorie Mixon each smashed three run home runs for the Lady Tide, while Hillary Dickens added a two run shot. Dickens finished with three hits and five RBI’s, recording a two run double as well.

Sarah Dodd picked up the pitching win for Picayune.

•The Lady Hornets and Lady Tide now face off to decide the region champion on Tuesday, when Picayune hosts Poplarville.

Poplarville stopped Picayune 8-1 two weeks ago in the only meeting so far this year between the two teams.

• Also, both teams are ranked in the statewide prep poll by The Clarion-Ledger of Jackson. Poplarvile is ranked seventh and Picayune eighth in the poll.