OAK GROVE – The Oak Grove Lady Warriors softball team christened its brand new field Friday night with a doubleheader sweep of Warren Central (24-7) to claim the 5A South State fast-pitch championship.

The defending Class 5A champions picked up 9-0 and 10-0 victories over the Lady Vikes, using dominating pitching, solid defense and timely hitting.

The Lady Warriors (25-2-2) advance to the state championship to take on the winner of the Southaven-Clinton series. The first game in the best-of-three state championship series is scheduled for Thursday.

Oak Grove coach Gary Ivy said it was business as usual for his Lady Warriors.

“Once we settled in, I thought we did a good job at the plate,” he said. “Logan James and Megan Hill were just beating the ball all over the ballpark. Of course, Ashlyn (Williams) was her normal self.”

In the first game, Williams went the distance for Oak Grove, pitching seven innings. Williams allowed one hit, which came in the first inning, and struck out nine.

“I just had to stick to my pitches,” she said. “I had to hit location. One mistake can change the whole ballgame on you.”

Hill led the way for the Lady Warriors offensively in the first game, going 3-for-3 with a double, a home run and three RBIs. James and Williams also had two hits apiece for Oak Grove in the first game.

The second game of the night simply saw more of the same from both teams.

Hill had four RBIs to go along with three more hits for the Lady Warriors.

“I just try to do my best and help the team out,” the junior right fielder said. “We just had two good innings in both games, and I guess that really did it for us.”

Williams pitched four innings for the Lady Warriors in the second game, striking out 10, walking two and allowing only a double to WC center fielder Cookie Johnson.

“We’ve had a great season,” WC coach Lucy Young said. “But, we’re not a strong hitting team. Tonight, it just didn’t quite come together for us. But, I can’t take anything away from (Oak Grove).”

Oak Grove opened the playoffs with a two-game sweep of Vicksburg, turning a Warren County sweep en route to the South State title.

Ivy said he feels like any type of competition will prepare a team for the next round.

“I think it helps any time you can play somebody,” he said. “Because, there’s always things you can work on. They did a good job. Their pitcher was really working the corners.”