By CURTIS ROCKWELL

Item Sports Editor

POPLARVILLE — Last time out in the Class 4A South State playoffs, Poplarville faced a team in Vancleave that was in the playoffs for the first time ever. And while the Lady Hornets are facing yet another team from Jackson County in this round, East Central is much more experienced.

The Lady Hornets host the Lady Hornets in game one of the Class 4A South State semifinals best of three series tonight at 7.

Poplarville is ranked second in the state and East Central fourth. ECHS won the state championship two years ago and fell in the state title round last year to Cleveland.

Poplarville is 25-3 on the year, a school record for wins, while ECHS is also 25-3 and has won 24 of its last 25 games.

East Central pitcher Linsey Dickerson beat Long Beach 5-0 and 5-1 on Saturday. She will face off with Poplarville’s Megan Ladner.