KILN – Hancock right-handed pitcher Jessica Dubuisson admitted Tuesday afternoon she didn’t have such a great day at the plate on her team’s home field.

She didn’t have to. Her pitching arm was more than enough to push the Lady Hawks to the second round of the Class 5A state softball playoffs.

The senior hurler tossed a one-hitter as Hancock knocked off Warren Central 5-0 in Game 3 of their first-round matchup. Hancock will now face George County in a best-of-three series Thursday. Warren Central ends the season 12-10.

Dubuisson was sharp from the first strike to the last strike. She mowed down 13 Lady Vikes and struck out two hitters in five of the seven innings she pitched. Many Warren Central hitters never had a chance at poking a single because most of them couldn’t catch up with Dubuisson’s fastball.

Hancock coach Bo Breland said the Lady Hawks (22-6) have relied on solid pitching and stingy defense to get as far as they did.

&#8220I told her before the game that she is our senior and said ‘It’s all in your hands,’” Breland said. &#8220Out of the two games she pitched the other day, she only allowed one hit. We put it in her hands and she took care of business.”

Hancock broke the game open in the bottom of the third when the Lady Hawks crossed home four times to take a 4-0 lead. Zena Duncan capped off the four-run rally with a two-run single. Duncan also picked up her third RBI in the fifth when she grounded out to second to drive in Randa Lee.

Breland said the Lady Hawks haven’t been known for their offensive prowess. But Duncan has been key when she needed to be.

&#8220When the pressure is on, she comes through,” Breland said. &#8220Sometimes when there’s no pressure, she doesn’t come through. But when the pressure is there, you can rely on her.”

Although she was frustrated by her 0-for-4 day in the batter’s box, Dubuisson was thankful for the other eight in the lineup.

&#8220It’s a good thing that I had some backup because Lord help us,” Dubuisson said. &#8220The bottom of our lineup came through and we did pretty good today.”

Warren Central won the first game Saturday 7-3, then lost the second 10-1.