STARKVILLE — Simpson Academy’s baseball season changed in about an hour’s time Tuesday night.
Down five runs to Starkville Academy, Simpson Academy scored the final seven runs, including a walk-off home run, to take the lead in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AAA second-round playoff series.
“In my three seasons, we had not won a playoff game,” Simpson Academy coach Adam Evans said. “We just needed the one win. Coming from behind and winning like that meant the world Tuesday night. Our practice Wednesday was the best one we have ever had.
“The confidence level was through the roof. We came here determined and focused with a job to do. There is little doubt winning the first one changed everything. It made us believe.”
Simpson Academy turned that belief into victory again Thursday afternoon, beating Starkville Academy 2-1 to sweep the best-of-three series.
“A lot of people couldn’t believe we won the game Tuesday (a 7-5 victory),” Simpson Academy junior Sam McWilliams said. “Everyone knows Starkville Academy has been one of the best teams in the state the entire season. Being able to win that game Tuesday was really big.
“We have been trying to get that playoff win. Once we got that win, we knew we could get the series. The confidence level just went way up.”
Simpson Academy (18-9) scored twice in the first inning and the pitching duo of Noah Magee and McWilliams made it stand up.
“Simpson was able to play loose, and I think that was really huge in this game,” Starkville Academy coach Jarrod Parks said. “We played well and all of that, but they were able to play loose. They had a game lead in the series and really had nothing to lose. Then they came out and scored first in this game. That was really big. They made us uncomfortable in the first inning. It was uphill from there.”
Starkville Academy (19-6) had its chances. The Volunteers left the bases loaded in the second. The Volunteers stranded the potential game-tying run at third base in the sixth and also left another runner in the seventh.
Freshman right-hander Noah Magee was up to the challenge for the Cougars. Magee was lifted after the first two Volunteers reached base in the sixth.
“I tried to focus on pitching my game,” Magee said. “I knew it was the biggest game I have thrown in, but I tried to not focus on that. I had good command of my curveball early and I was getting strike calls. I just pitched with a lot of confidence. We have a great defense, so I feel like that plays are going to be made behind me.”
Simpson Academy made all but one play. The Cougars booted and then threw away a potential inning-ending double play ground ball in the sixth. The Volunteers scored off the miscue, but McWilliams got a critical strikeout to snuff that threat and worked around a leadoff single in the seventh.
“Our pitching was phenomenal,” Adams said. “They have been consistent throughout the year, though. In a series like this, making the plays will be the difference. We made all but one play in this game and you see what it cost us.
“Credit to all the guys for keeping their composure. Starkville Academy has a lot of seniors and they were playing at home, so you knew their last push was going to be strong. To be able to overcome that says a lot about our team.”
Simpson Academy had seven hits, including two by McWilliams and Nicholas Dukes. A single, error, and wild pitch helped the Cougars take the 2-0 lead.
Starkville Academy had five hits, including two by Drake Gordman. Landen Rogers was lifted with out in the sixth and took the loss.
“In a playoff series, every sequence in a game is magnified,” Parks said. “That one bad stretch doesn’t matter as much in the regular season. Here it determines whether you move on or not. We were playing a great team and had some mistakes. A lot of credit to our seniors, though. They really bought in and helped us have a tremendous season. Even though this is disappointing, they can be really proud of all the things we accomplished this season.”
n Grenada 2, New Hope 0: At Grenada, Caleb Morgan pitched a complete-game two-hitter Thursday to lead the Chargers (24-3) past the Trojans (20-11) in Game 1 of the best-of-three Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A third-round playoff series.
Game 2 will be at 7 tonight at New Hope. If needed, Game 3 will be at 6 p.m. Monday at Grenada.
Morgan struck out 12 and used a two-hit night by Gage Little and an RBI by Trey Spencer to help Grenada earn its seventh-straight victory. Grenada eliminated Saltillo, New Hope’s rival in Region 2, in two games in the second round.
Grenada scored one run in the fourth and another in the sixth. It also capitalized on three New Hope errors.
Noah Brock allowed only six hits in six innings for New Hope. He struck out four.
n Hebron Christian 13, DeSoto School (Ark.) 7: At Pheba, the Eagles capitalized on 14 walks and used two-hit efforts by Clay Faulkner, Eli Parrish, and Jessie Moore to win Game 2 and sweep their best-of-three MAIS Class A first-round playoff series.
Hebron Christian will face Deer Creek School, which beat Kemper Academy 5-4 and 6-2, next week in the second round. Times and dates for the games will be determined.
“We didn’t hit the ball well, but with 14 free passes it took the bats out of our hands a little,” Hebron Christian coach David Griffin said. “We were able to get two seniors back in the lineup after they were out for four weeks, which should help us a great deal next week.”
Channing Tapley allowed six hits and struck out 13 in six innings. He allowed only three earned runs. Faulkner struck out two in the final inning.
“Our pitching has given us 29 strikeouts over the two-game series,” said Griffin, whose team won Game 1 7-0. “Win or lose we should be a tough out next week.”
Faulkner scored three runs, Payton Griffin had a hit and scored three runs, Tapley had a double and scored a run, Parrish had two doubles, Moore scored a run, Roger Pratt had a hit and scored a run, JT Weaver and Dash Turman scored a run, and Landon Hill scored two runs.
Coach Griffin said Tapley, Griffin and Faulkner had 10 of the team’s 13 hits Tuesday in Game 1. He said the rest of the lineup “really stepped up” to help the Eagles complete the sweep.
Softball
n Hamilton will face Smithville for North Half title: The Hamilton High School fast-pitch softball team will take on Smithville in Game 1 of its best-of-three MHSAA Class 1A North Half playoff series tonight. Game 2 and Game 3, if needed, will be Saturday.
Hamilton beat Vardaman 12-6 in Game 3 on Wednesday to win that series. Smithville beat West Union to set up the matchup between the Monroe County rivals.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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