POPLARVILLE — The Poplarville and Pearl River Central softball teams split a doubleheader Saturday afternoon.

The Lady Devils (14-2, 2-0 Region 7-5A) came out on top with a 9-6 score in game one and the Lady Hornets won the second game 4-3.

In the first game of the series, Poplarville (11-7, 3-3 Region 7-4A) took an early two-run lead but after PRC combined for six runs in the second and fourth innings, the team took the lead and held onto it.

The Lady Hornets manage to score four runs between the fourth and sixth inning but three runs for the Lady Devils in the last three innings of the game sealed the win.

For PRC, Harlee Davis batted 4-for-4 with an RBI, Brienne Penton was 2-for-3 with an RBI and Keigan Pearson went 1-for-4 with three RBIs.

On the mound, Jayden Davis pitched 5 2/3 innings and allowed six hits, six runs and struck out three batters. Jade Latham pitched the last 1 1/3 innings of the game and struck out three batters.

For the Lady Hornets, Denasia Fulton was 1-for-3 with two RBIs, Cassidy Cartwright batted 2-for-4 with an RBI and Aislynn Andrews and Kayleigh Netton each went 1-for-2. Netto added an RBI.

Karlee Price pitched for five innings and allowed 10 hits and seven runs. Victoria Pertuit took the mound the last two innings of the game and allowed three hits, two runs and struck out two batters.

In the second game of the day, runs by Poplarville’s Cartwright, Rakeya Travis and Manya Gilmore helped the team earn a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Hannah Blanchard extended the team’s lead to 4-0 after a pop-up fly by teammate Netto in the third inning.

During the fifth inning, Brianna Smith scored for the Lady Devils after an RBI by Davis. Madison Gower cut PRC’s deficit to two runs in the sixth when she scored off of a wild pitch by Poplarville’s Gracie Raby.

In the last inning of the game, Penton scored for PRC after a base hit by Gower. The score cut the team’s deficit to 4-3. Poplarville’s Travis brought an end to the game when she caught the ball at second base off of a hit by Shelby Archer.

“I’m just glad to get a win because coming into this series, we had lost four games in a row,” Poplarville Head Softball Coach Jonathan Ray said. “Pearl River Central is a great team and this win gives us some confidence heading into our last stretch. I believe if we win the rest of our district games, we’ll finish in second place and earn a spot in the playoffs.”

For the Lady Hornets, Blanchard batted 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI, Gilmore went 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs and Travis was 1-for-1 with a double. Raby pitched for 6 1/3 innings and allowed six hits, three runs and struck out three batters. Victoria Pertuit closed the game by pitching 2/3 innings and only allowing one hit.

Poplarville will be back in action Thursday at 7 p.m. when the team travels to Purvis.

Meanwhile for PRC, Gower batted 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, Davis was 1-for-4 with an RBI and Latham and Davis each went 1-for-4.

On the mound, Mackenzie Archer pitched for three innings, where she permitted four hits, four runs and struck out two batters. Latham pitched the last three innings of the game and allowed one hit and struck out eight batters.

The Lady Devils will be back on the field Thursday night when the team travels to North Pike.

— Blue Devils baseball: PRC defeated Picayune 7-6 in 10 innings Friday night and Harrison Central 4-3 Saturday afternoon.

Against the Maroon Tide, Zach Roussell scored the winning run after a single by Hayden Dunhurst.

The Blue Devils (15-3, 5-1 Region 7-5A) will host the Tigers in a district game Tuesday night. Meanwhile for Picayune (8-9, 0-6 Region 7-5A), the team will travel to North Pike Tuesday night.

— Hornets baseball: Poplarville defeated Lumberton 9-3 Saturday afternoon in non-region action. Six runs in the first inning helped the Hornets (8-9, 4-2 Region 7-4A) earn a comfortable win. The team also scored one run in the third, fourth and sixth innings.

Canaan Ray batted 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, Kyle Tynes went 1-for-2 with a double and two RBIs and Brady Tynes was 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs.

Cade Johnson saw action on the mound, pitching for 6 2/3 innings. He allowed three hits, three runs and struck out three batters.

The Hornets will be back on the field Tuesday night when they travel to Purvis.