When Eric Thornton took over the Columbus High School slow-pitch softball program, the initial goal was quite simple.

Thornton wanted the Lady Falcons playing for the district title on the final night of the regular season.

That goal came to fruition Tuesday night as Columbus blanked Starkville 11-0 at Lady Falcon Field.

With the win, Columbus improved to 5-6 overall and 3-1 in Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A/6A, Region 2 play. Columbus will end the regular season with a doubleheader Thursday at region rival Grenada. One win gives the Lady Falcons second in the region, while two wins would tie Columbus and New Hope for the region championship.

New Hope completed a season sweep of Grenada with a 13-1 win Tuesday night.

“We won the district last year, so our goal this year was to win it again,” Columbus’ Timaria Hudgins said. “We beat New Hope a couple of weeks ago and that was really big.

“I think they under-estimated us. That win there is what motivated us to keep going and gave us a chance to win the district.”

Even though he had several key returnees from last season’s Class 6A second-round playoff participant, Thornton knew patience would be key as the team adjusted to a new coach and also shifted back to slow-pitch mode.

“We weren’t very good at the start of the season,” Thornton said. “Offensively, we were not getting hits. It was a matter of not waiting back for the pitch because we were still in fast-pitch mode. I thought once we put it all together we had a chance to be a pretty good team.”

Columbus put it all together quickly Tuesday night. The Lady Falcons scored three runs in the first inning, finished with 11 total hits and won by the run-rule.

“It was important to start strong,” Columbus’ Shaquera Wilson said. “We knew we had to score some runs early. Once we started hitting the ball, it seemed like everybody joined in.”

Last season, Columbus won its first district title in 12 seasons. The Lady Falcons also won a playoff series before bowing out in the second round.

Realignment placed New Hope in the region this year and made a potential ride to the top much more challenging. However, the 8-7 win over New Hope gave the squad more confidence.

“It really helped turned our season around,” Thornton said. “We had really been struggling on offense. Then the girls believed a little more after that. Our confidence level has picked up tremendously.

“Our goal was to get back in the playoffs and to challenge for the district title. So that is all right here for us going into the last night of the season.”

Wilson reached base safely all three times Tuesday night and had a big double in the first inning. Porchia Brooks also had two hits, as did Sinetra Sykes.

At the completion of the contest, Senior Night festivities were held for a class which has meant a lot to the program.

“We are looking forward to Thusday and to the playoffs,” Brooks said. “The last couple of weeks, it has all come together for us and everybody is excited. We feel like we can go a long way.”

Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.