3A Softball Championship: Booneville's Hallie Burns 'as-advertised' in 6-1 win over West Marion

HATTIESBURG — Booneville ace Hallie Burns missed what should have been her final practice at home Monday afternoon because of a doctor's appointment.

Unfortunately for West Marion, she didn't miss Tuesday's Class 3A Championship Series opener.

The Ole Miss commit was stellar in the circle, hurling seven all seven innings and striking out 10 batters without giving up an earned run in a 6-1 Game 1 win for the Lady Devils at the USM Softball Complex.

Game 2 in the series is set for Thursday afternoon. If necessary, the third game would be played this weekend.

"I felt better today," Burns said, alluding to the lingering pain in her back and hips that had persisted over the past two weeks. "I've taken ice baths and everything else you could imagine to get ready for this. Today wasn't our best day in the field, but we'll get a good practice in tomorrow and try to get better."

The Lady Devils (27-9) did commit three errors, but that wasn't nearly enough to derail Burns, who threw 76 of her 99 pitches for a strike, issued two walks and gave up just three hits.

The Booneville offense did its job as well — the Lady Devils plated three runs in the first inning on Olivia Garrett's two-run double and an RBI groundout off the bat of Maddix Lambert.

They added insurance runs in the second, third and fifth innings, but those three early runs were more than enough.

"It just changes everything for Hallie out there in the circle when we score early and give her the lead like that," Booneville coach Jessica Taylor said. "And what you saw out there today is the same determination Hallie has showed throughout her career. Just another gutsy performance."

The Lady Trojans' lone run came in the sixth inning, when a Booneville throwing error allowed Paris Thompson to score an unearned run.

Starter Elizabeth Pittman suffered the loss in the circle for West Marion (30-8). Olivia Miller relieved her in the third inning and allowed just one run on two hits and a walk over the final 3.2 innings.

"(Burns) was as-advertised," West Marion coach Charles Odom said. "This was a big stage for our girls, playing against the two-time defending champs and the 3A Player of the Year. I want them to enjoy it, because it's tough to get here, but we've got to get some things corrected before Thursday."