Warren Central became the first team in more than a month to score a run against South Panola. It did little to slow down the Tigers’ train, though.

Nia Fondren went 2-for-2 with two home runs, three RBIs and three runs scored, and Makenzie Houston doubled twice and drove in two runs as South Panola beat Warren Central 13-2 on Friday to complete a sweep of their MHSAA Class 6A softball playoff series.

South Panola (29-2), the defending Class 6A champion, advanced to face Neshoba Central or Grenada in the semifinals next week.

Warren Central finished its season with a 12-16 record that included a playoff series win for the third year in a row. It was eliminated in the second round by South Panola for the second consecutive time.

Fondren hit a long solo home run in the top of the first inning, and Houston hit an RBI double two batters later to help South Panola jump out to a 5-0 lead. Fondren added a two-run home run in the second inning, and the Tigers dropped another five-spot in the third on their way to their 11th consecutive run-rule victory.

Warren Central did earn some bragging rights, however, by stopping a 39-inning scoreless streak that South Panola had patched together over its previous 10 games. The last time it had allowed a run was March 28, in the sixth inning of a 4-1 victory over Tipton-Rosemark Academy.

In the bottom of the first inning, leadoff batter Mari Kynlea Ferguson was hit by a pitch and moved around the bases on three passed balls. She scored on the last one to put the Lady Vikes on the board and snap the streak.

The Lady Vikes then loaded the bases before Addi Mullen singled to center field to bring in Madison Pant with another run that cut it to 5-2.

The rally chased South Panola pitcher Sadie Bright — the MHSAA’s Miss Softball for Class 6A — from the pitcher’s circle. Unfortunately, her replacement Grady Beck Wilson was on point.

Wilson gave up Mullen’s RBI single, then got out of the first-inning jam and did not allow another run in 4 2/3 innings. She finished with six strikeouts while allowing three hits and no walks.

Pant reached base twice for Warren Central, on a single and a walk, and scored a run. Mullen, Anzley Keen and Kennadi Williams also had hits.