Hailey Heafner's walk-off hit secured South Panola's 8-7 victory over George County, clinching the MHSAA 6A softball championship. The game concluded in extra innings at the Southern Miss Softball Complex on May 15.
Key points
Hailey Heafner hit a walk-off single
South Panola defeated George County 8-7
The game went into extra innings
Championship held on May 15
Location: Southern Miss Softball Complex
Mentioned in this story
Southern Miss Softball ComplexHailey HeafnerAshleigh Hicks
South PanolaGeorge CountyMHSAA 6A softball championship
How Hailey Heafner's walk-off hit led South Panola to MHSAA 6A softball championship
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'."
South Panola High School Tigers fans cheer during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
George County High School Rebels infielder Jordyn Bradley (12) reacts as she scores during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
Q&A
What was the final score of the MHSAA 6A softball championship game?
The final score was South Panola 8, George County 7.
Who hit the walk-off single for South Panola in the championship game?
Hailey Heafner hit the walk-off single for South Panola.
When did South Panola win the MHSAA 6A softball championship?
South Panola won the championship on May 15.
Where was the MHSAA 6A softball championship held?
The championship was held at the Southern Miss Softball Complex.
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Action unfolds during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
George County High School Rebels players react after forcing game three during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
George County High School Rebels pitcher Peyton Collins (33) pitches during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
George County High School Rebels infielder Blakely Slay (5) hits the ball during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
South Panola High School Tigers infielder Kaylee Glover (22) makes a play during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
George County High School Rebels pitcher Peyton Collins (33) pitches during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
South Panola High School Tigers outfielder Hannah Robertson (5) catches the ball during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
South Panola High School Tigers infielder Kaleigh Cobb (11) makes a play during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
George County High School Rebels infielder Jordyn Bradley (12) reacts as she scores during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
George County High School Rebels pitcher Peyton Collins (33) reacts with teammates during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
South Panola High School Tigers infielder Kaleigh Cobb (11) drops the ball during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
Fans watch the action during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
South Panola High School Tigers pitcher Grady Wilson (0) pitches during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
George County High School Rebels outfielder Alexis O’Neal (10) hits the ball during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
South Panola High School Tigers infielder Kaleigh Cobb (11) drops the ball during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
George County High School Rebels players react after forcing game three during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
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See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
South Panola High School Tigers fans cheer during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
1 / 18
See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
South Panola High School Tigers fans cheer during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
2 / 18
See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
George County High School Rebels infielder Jordyn Bradley (12) reacts as she scores during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
3 / 18
See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
Action unfolds during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
4 / 18
See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
George County High School Rebels players react after forcing game three during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
5 / 18
See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
George County High School Rebels pitcher Peyton Collins (33) pitches during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
6 / 18
See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
George County High School Rebels infielder Blakely Slay (5) hits the ball during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
7 / 18
See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
South Panola High School Tigers infielder Kaylee Glover (22) makes a play during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
8 / 18
See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
George County High School Rebels pitcher Peyton Collins (33) pitches during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
9 / 18
See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
South Panola High School Tigers outfielder Hannah Robertson (5) catches the ball during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
10 / 18
See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
South Panola High School Tigers infielder Kaleigh Cobb (11) makes a play during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
11 / 18
See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
George County High School Rebels infielder Jordyn Bradley (12) reacts as she scores during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
12 / 18
See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
George County High School Rebels pitcher Peyton Collins (33) reacts with teammates during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
13 / 18
See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
South Panola High School Tigers infielder Kaleigh Cobb (11) drops the ball during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
14 / 18
See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
Fans watch the action during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
15 / 18
See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
South Panola High School Tigers pitcher Grady Wilson (0) pitches during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
16 / 18
See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
George County High School Rebels outfielder Alexis O’Neal (10) hits the ball during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
17 / 18
See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
South Panola High School Tigers infielder Kaleigh Cobb (11) drops the ball during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
18 / 18
See photos of George County vs South Panola softball in MHSAA 6A state championship
George County High School Rebels players react after forcing game three during the MHSAA Class 6A softball state championship between George County and South Panola in Hattiesburg, Miss. on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
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. Olivia Phillips hit a sac fly to left field, scoring one run, and on a throw to third base, the second run scored to force extra innings.
With constant changes in the score and pressure, Heafner knew they had to stay poised.
"I get up there, everybody's talking to me about (Peter's Bible verses) and I just get a wave of just like peace over me, and I'm like, 'I know I can do this,' and I just went up there with full confidence, because what do I have to lose?"
Wilson, a Jones College signee and Clarion Ledger Dandy Dozen, pitched all three games, which featured two games that went into extra innings. The MHSAA 6A Miss Softball winner threw 23 innings with 11 strikeouts.
"I went pitch by pitch," Wilson said. "I honestly couldn't have done it without my team. This week I've been on compressions, medicine, drinks and they have been with me every step of the way, pushing me, telling me they have my back, and that just really pushed me to do the best I could for them."
Freshman Oliva Phillips won series MVP while she was 6-for-10 at the plate with six RBIs.
George County's Addison Davis pitched 15⅔ innings with 10 strikeouts across three games.
