George County tops Saltillo for 5A state softball championship

By Scott Watkins

Updated May 18, 2023 8:32 PM

The George County Lady Rebels softball team celebrates after beating Saltillo in the 5A 2023 MHSAA Softball Championship game at USM Softball Complex in Hattiesburg on Thursday, May 18, 2023. Hannah Ruhoff Sun Herald

The second dogpile was the charm for George County.

The Lady Rebels earned their first softball state title, sweeping the championship series over Saltillo with a 2-1 win on Thursday.

Addison Davis threw six innings of one-run ball, and series MVP and eighth-grader Peyton Collins recorded the final save of the season with a shutdown seventh inning.

“It means a lot (to win state),” head coach Kasey McCann said after the win. “Our athletic administration has really backed me, and it has really helped us grow the program and create this tradition of excellence.”

George County (30-4) thought it had the win with an apparent double-play after a wild pitch. The out at second was ruled obstruction and the Lady Rebels’ celebration in the circle had to be reeled back into the dugout.

One pitch later, Collins recorded the title-winning strikeout and the real celebration began.

“It felt really good,” senior Irina Sanford said. “Tears, sweat, blood, everything. We went out for it all, and we got the win.”

Collins threw a complete game on Wednesday in the Lady Rebels’ 5-1 win and had eight strikeouts in the series.

Davis and Collins outlasted Saltillo’s AK Willingham in what was a fast-paced pitcher’s duel at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.

“(Collins) is a great kid, she’s got the ‘it’ factor,” McCann said. “Even if things aren’t working or she’s not having the best night, she’s a competitor. She’s not going to quit, she’s going to fight through adversity. I’m really proud of her.”

It wasn’t until the sixth inning when GCHS broke a 1-1 tie with a Sidnee Beech hit that drove in Natalie Jones.

Jones was the Lady Rebels’ leading hitter in the series, going 4-for-4 in Game 1 before picking up two hits in Game 2.

She’s one of only three juniors and five upperclassmen on a young roster. Sanford and utility Ashton Fairley were the lone seniors going out on top by their teammates.

“I’m very proud of my seniors,” Collins said. “I’m more than happy. I love them like they’re my own family. I know they’re behind my back, and I’m proud to see where they go.”

The championship is a first for McCann in her seventh season at the helm in Lucedale. George County reached the South State final in 2022 before falling to East Central.

With a deep roster loaded with impact freshmen and eighth-graders, the Lady Rebels have plans to return to the finals in the future.

“I feel like we’re going to be put in this position many more times,” Collins said.