Southwest Mississippi Softball earned its first playoff victory Saturday, beating Hinds Community College 8-6 in the opening game of the Region 23 Tournament. The game was hosted by Co-Lin in Wesson, Mississippi.
The Lady Bears, the lower seed and visiting team, started strong with a four-run first inning powered by three home runs. Bailey McLin drew a leadoff walk, and Allie Ladnier sacrificed her to second. Corin Talbot then hit a two-run homer to left field, followed by Kate Clements’ solo shot to center. Tristan Allen capped the inning with her 19th homer of the season, giving Southwest an early 4-0 lead.
Hinds responded with a six-run inning to take a 6-4 lead. However, Allen’s bat proved vital again in the fifth inning. After a strikeout, Alexis Dejean singled and Kate Clements walked. Allen then hit her second homer of the game and 20th of the year, putting Southwest ahead 7-6. The Lady Bears added another run in the sixth on a single from Dejean that scored Lauryn Roebuck, making it 8-6.
Allie Ladnier pitched a complete game, striking out four and allowing three earned runs. Her defense held Hinds scoreless in the final two innings. Allen led the offense with two homers and four RBIs. Clements and Talbot each added a homer, and Dejean contributed two hits. Roebuck and Jana Phillips also had one hit each. Roebuck stole two bases, and McLin drew three walks.
Southwest coach Shea Johnson expressed pride in the team’s historic win. “We said all year that we had a team that could play,” he said. “They came out, hit early, and hit a lot of home runs. Allie did a super job in the circle.” Johnson, in his tenth season, said the victory sets a precedent for the program and inspires future players. “This is a great feeling. When I started 15 years ago, I didn’t know this would happen. Now, these girls have won a playoff game, and that’s a milestone,” he said.
Starting pitcher Ladnier said she felt confident heading into the next game. Allen, Southwest’s home run leader, said the team was motivated by their underdog status and the impact of Allen’s performance. The Lady Bears advance to face top seed Co-Lin at 3 p.m. Sunday in the tournament’s first round.
