How Hailey Heafner's walk-off hit led South Panola to MHSAA 6A softball championship
South Panola softball won the MHSAA 6A championship 8-7 in the eighth inning, on a walk-off.
HATTIESBURG — Despite hundreds of screaming fans on their feet, both dugouts cheering and a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the eighth inning, South Panola softball coach Ashleigh Hicks felt a calmness over her. Standing at the third base coaching box, Hicks was pacing up and down with her hand on her hips, and wasn't too worried about the situation. At the plate was Hailey Heafner, her leadoff hitter, with a chance to win a state title.
The junior outfielder roped a single to center field, leading South Panola (32-4-1) to an 8-7 win and claiming the MHSAA 6A championship on May 15 at the Southern Miss Softball Complex in extra innings against George County (29-8). "We were up to our number, our lead off batter and she had been struggling a little bit, but I knew she was due for a hit," Hicks said on Heafner. "Adversity and pressure, she flies with that kind of stuff.
She's made for that. I kept yelling, 'you're built for this'. " MORE: Hernando softball wins MHSAA 7A championship after 3 title series losses in 4 years It's the Lady Tigers' first title since 2024 and fourth overall championship.
George County was looking to defend its 2025 title. South Panola won Game 1, 5-3, and fell in Game 2, 6-4, in extra innings. South Panola was down to its final out in the bottom of the seventh inning, trailing 6-4.