As the high school baseball playoffs enter the final two weeks, four teams from the Southern Six are still in the running for state championships with South State best-of-three series games starting on Friday.
CLASS 6A
Pearl River Central vs. George County
These two state baseball powerhouses both had to go three games to reach the South State finals and the winner of this series is guaranteed a berth in the 6A finals.
The Blue Devils (26-5) knocked off county rival Picayune 7-1 on Monday to advance while the Rebels (26-4) defeated visiting West Jones 8-4 to keep their state title hopes alive.
PRC and George County are familiar with one another in the playoffs, meeting for the third straight season. The Blue Devils have had the Rebels’ number in the postseason, beating George County in the opening round of the 5A playoffs in 2022 and 2023.
George County hasn’t played for a South State baseball championship since 2018.
Game One of the series will be on Friday at 7 p.m. in Carriere and Game Two will be at Lucedale on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Game Three, if necessary, will be at 7 p.m. on Monday at Carriere.
The winner of the series will face Warren Central or Center Hill for the state title.
CLASS 5A
Vancleave vs. South Jones
Vancleave ended county rival East Central’s quest for a third consecutive state championship, beating the Hornets in a decisive Game Three to reach the South State finals.
The Bulldogs will take on South Jones, which swept Stone High.
The Bulldogs (25-8) and the Braves (24-6) met in the first round of the 5A playoffs in 2023 with Vancleave winning the series two games to one.
South Jones will host Game One on Friday at 7 p.m. and Game Two will be at Vancleave on Saturday at 7 p.m.
If Game Three is necessary, it will be played on Monday in Ellisville.
The winner will meet Lafayette or New Hope for the state championship next week.
CLASS 1A
Resurrection Catholic vs. Taylorsville
Resurrection Catholic is on a mission to win a third straight state championship after eliminating Ethel in three games to reach the 1A South State finals.
Taylorsville dispatched Enterprise-Brookhaven to advance.
The Eagles (23-4) and the Tartars (19-10) last met in the baseball playoffs in 2022 with RCS taking two of three games on their way to claiming a state championship.
Game One of the series will be on Friday in Taylorsville at 6:30 p.m. with the series switching to Pascagoula on Saturday at 7 p.m. for Game Two.
If a third game is necessary, it will be on Monday in Taylorsville.
The winner of the series will face Biggersville or Pine Grove for the state title.