In an unbelievable Class 7A softball playoff series that went back and forth over three games, D’Iberville’s Annah Nicely drilled a single to left in the bottom of the seventh inning on Tuesday against Brandon, scoring Maddie Porter for a 5-4 first-round clincher in D’Iberville.
All three games ended in walk-off fashion.
“All year long these girls have shown they can come back from being down and keep fighting and tonight was even better,” said Lady Warriors coach Scooter Prince. “I have to tip my hat to Brandon. It was a heck of a series, and they battled like we did.”
Coming into the bottom of the seventh, D’Iberville trailed 4-3 with Amiyah Simpkins leading off. She earned a walk and the crowd’s volume level quickly rose. However, on the next pitch, Simpkins was thrown out at second.
Addison Mosley then hit a chopping ground ball that went under the pitcher’s glove into no man’s land, and she was able to reach first. That’s when Porter walked and reached base for the third time in the game.
With runners at first and second, there was a strikeout, then Lady Warriors pitcher Emma Franklin busted a double, knocking in Mosley with Porter going to third, setting up the game-winning hit by Nicely.
Franklin got the win, giving up five hits, striking out six, and walking two. With the loss, Brandon’s season ends.
“This game is what the playoffs are all about,” said Brandon coach Caroline DeLoach. “It was a fight to the end. We really had a fun year and learned a lot. We will be ready to go next year.”
Brandon sophomore shortstop Hannah Jo Sullivan hit a solo home run, giving her two in the series and 11 this season. Both coaches raved about her talent.
“She’s an incredible player. She did so much for us all year and made outstanding plays at shortstop,” said DeLoach.
“I would have to say she’s the best player we have seen all season,” Prince. “She definitely has a bright future ahead.”
Brandon came out hot in the first inning as Lila Harrison beat out an infield single with one out. Sullivan was hit by a pitch, the first of three for her on the night.
Then Chloe Jenkins tripled to right field and the ball ended up past a diving outfielder to roll to the fence. Jenkins was able to come all the way around to score, giving Brandon a 3-0 lead.
The Lady Warriors rallied in the bottom of the inning as Porter singled up the middle. After a flyout and a groundout, which moved Porter to second, Nicely was hit by a pitch and courtesy runner Kaelyn McKenzie replaced her.
Porter stole third and McKenzie followed with a steal of second before Piper Rushing hit a line drive to center, knocking in Porter and McKenzie to make the score 3-2.
The score remained that way until Sullivan stepped up in the third and drilled a ball over the left-field fence for a 4-2 Brandon lead.
Franklin got an RBI in the sixth when she knocked in Mosley on a fielder’s choice.
Now D’Iberville will play the undefeated and nationally ranked Northwest Rankin Lady Cougars, who swept Harrison Central in the first round.
The Lady Cougars (28-0) have Southern Miss signee Jolie Hays, who is batting .574 this season with 39 hits and 22 RBIs. She also has a 0.49 ERA over 71.2 innings with 118 strikeouts. She just no-hit Harrison Central in Game Two.
“The Hays girl is going to be very good,” said Prince.
D’Iberville will go to Northwest Rankin for the series opener on Thursday night and the second game will be in D’Iberville on Saturday.
