Picayune’s quest for a berth in the Class 5A South State fast-pitch softball state playoffs came up a bit short Wednesday night.

Despite a 6-3 win over visiting Stone County, the Lady Tide failed to make the postseason due to a run differential in the tie-breaking process.

Both Stone and Picayune finished 1-5 in the Region 7-5A standings, but the Lady Tomcats beat the Lady Tide 16-8 several weeks ago. Therefore, even though the team split a pair of regular season meetings, the Lady Tomcats advance to the playoffs due to a plus five advantage in the tie-breaker.

Stone travels to Wayne County tonight to open the postseason. Picayune’s season ended at 6-18-1.

“We finally played a complete game, but it just wasn’t quite enough,” veteran Lady Tide mentor Kristi Mitchell said. “This is a tough district, and we just came up a little sort of making the playoffs.”

Elizabeth Taggard, just a freshman, picked up the win for Picayune.

The Lady Tide overcame an early 3-0 deficit with a five run third inning. Picayune then added a run in the fourth to seal the win, and Taggard made the lead stand as she hurled a complete game.

Alyssa Pinero had a pair of hits, including a triple and drove in a run in the winning effort, while Marissa McDonald had two hits as well, including a triple, and drove in three runs. Nala Carter added an RBI-single, and Megan Dudenheffer, another freshman, drove in a run as well.

Jennifer Walker and Alyssa Scott also each recorded a single in their final game with the Lady Tide. Those two, along with Carter and Donna Rice, compose Picayune’s four member senior class.

“We have a lot to build on coming back next year,” Mitchell added. “Of curse we would like to still be playing, but this was a good way to go out with a win.”

• The first round of the state playoffs for all classifications takes place today and Saturday.

The second round begins on Monday. A pair of local teams won district championships and will begin play on Monday after earning a first round bye. Both Poplarville and Pearl River Central open the playoffs Monday.