Lucy Cochran, East Union finish 'special' season with 3-1 win over Loyd Star to clinch MHSAA Class 2A Championship
HATTIESBURG — The Lady Urchins already had to wait an extra day to clinch a state championship, and they weren’t about to wait another.
After rain delayed the start by two days, the Lady Urchins wasted no time in Friday’s Game 2 of the MHSAA 2A Championship series, scoring three runs in the first two innings en route to a 3-1 win over Loyd Star to clinch the 2023 State Championship.
It’s the first fast-pitch state title in program history.
“It’s just a really special group of girls and this is really special for the whole town,” East Union coach Josh Blythe said. “People don’t understand when I tell them it’s a special place. There isn’t but one stop sign, and when I go in the Dollar General, people I don’t know tell me ‘Ya’ll got this coach, bring it home.’ It’s just different there.”
The star of Friday’s game — and the series — was eighth grade pitcher Lucy Cochran. After giving up a run and striking out 10 in Tuesday’s Game 1, the reigning 2A Miss Softball was rock solid again Friday.
She gave up one run on eight hits with five strikeouts and two walks. She also provided a spark on offense, with a single, two doubles and an RBI.
Her effort was good enough for MVP honors.
“This is amazing,” Cochran said. “I just can’t believe it. I’m just so happy to get to play with these teammates, and this is just amazing.”
There were several other stars for East Union (32-5).
Katie Sherwood drove in Adison Russell to put the Urchins on the scoreboard in the first inning, and Lily Kate Johnson followed with a single that scored Ali Cooper.
The Urchins tacked on another run in the second on the first of Cochran’s two doubles, which came at the right time with Addison Clayton in scoring position.
Loyd Star (27-7) pitcher Layla Burt settled down after that — she held the Lady Urchins at bay, retiring nine of the next 11 batters she faced and working around a two-on, no-out situation in the sixth to give the Lady Hornets a chance.
“Layla wasn’t as sharp early in the game,” Loyd Star coach Scott Leggett said. “She missed a couple of spots and you have to tip your cap to (East Union) for taking advantage. She really got into a groove after that, and we had our shots to score, we just couldn’t ever really break through.”
Loyd Star’s lone run came in the seventh, when Marley Britt came home on an Abby Brunette single up the middle. Senior Alyssa Leggett represented the Lady Hornets’ last hope, but she got under a rise ball from Cochran and popped out to shortstop to end the game.
That set off a raucous celebration and dog pile on top of Cochran on the mound.
“This group of girls has worked so hard,” Blythe said. “We knew when we saw this group of seventh and eight graders that they were going to help us and we had a chance to be really special. I’m so proud they were able to put together this kind of special season.”
