Once was good, two times was great, but three in a row is “thrice as nice”. That is what Quitman High School accomplished on Sunday, May 3rd, when the Lady Wolverines beat Anacoco 7-5 to claim their third straight LHSAA state softball championship. 

With the victory, Quitman, who was the #2 seed in the 20-team Class B bracket, ends the year with a 24-9 record and winners of their last 12 games. Anacoco, who entered as the #4 seed, finishes with a 15-13 mark. 

“Each time you can win the last game of the season, it makes the offseason feel that much more special,” reflected QHS head coach Justin Dodson. “I am so proud of this group. They worked hard to get here and deserve every accolade that they have gotten.”

Making of a Dynasty! By winning their third straight state championship – Division V in 2024 and Class B in 2025 and 2026 – and nearly winning it all in 2023, it is safe to say that the Lady Wolverines are a true modern-day dynasty. Over that period, Quitman has won 107 games for an average of just short of 27 games per year. Included are 37 victories in 38 games over Class B opponents, the only loss being a nine-inning defeat in the 2023 state championship game. 

What makes the incredible run even more impressive is that Quitman only has one senior on the roster this year. Granted, that is Maggie Guyotte, the all-time LHSAA leader in hits and RBI and second-best ever in home runs, but still, to be so successful with a roster made up of so many young players speaks volumes to what kind of tradition Quitman has built and is continuing to grow. 

“I am blessed to have so many talented players who work hard to get better,” said Dodson. “It is a culture that was started several years ago and is continuing. We have a great group coming back and several younger players eager to get their chance, so we are excited about the future.”

Early Advantage! After starting and winning pitcher Breanna Lamkin escaped a bases-loaded jam unscathed by getting a ground out, the Lady Wolverines wasted no time in jumping out to an early lead. Leadoff batter Anna Claire Leach got things rolling with a single, followed by Maggie Guyotte getting on after four straight balls. That brought up the “Matron of the Manor,” which is what Hallie Kate Pullig has embodied through her uncanny ability to deliver great games at the Frasch Sports Complex in Sulfur, where the state softball tournament is played annually. As she has done the past two years, that included her being named MVP as an 8th grader in 2024, Pullig came through big time, swatting a drive over the centerfield fence to stake Quitman to a 3-0 lead after one inning. 

To see Pullig’s home run trot around the bases, click here. 
(Video courtesy of April Simonelli)

Tragedy to Triumph!  If it wasn’t something locals had actually witnessed over the past couple of weeks, one would swear that what took place was the creation of a brilliant movie script writer. To set the stage, just days before Quitman’s Regional Round contest against Bell City, left fielder Briley Bowers had a horrific traffic accident that left her with a fractured bone in her neck. Wearing a neck brace and looking like her season and possibly her career was over, Bowers showed her tremendous character by becoming the team’s inspirational leader. Then incredibly, just before the state semi-final contest against Hicks, Bowers reported that she had been medically cleared. Getting the green light, Dodson wasted no time in inserting her back into the lineup, where, after batting .319 during the regular season, Bowers responded in the semi-final contest with a double, setting the stage for a legendary finale. 

Bower Power! With Quitman leading by a slim 3-2 margin after upset-minded Anacoco scored twice at the top of the second inning, Bower lined a double to left field and scored on Amelia Staggs’ clutch two-out single to double up the advantage after three. One inning later, Bower struck again when, with two outs and on a full count, she sent another drive to left field for her second “two-bagger” in as many at-bats. This time, Kinsley Ponder and Brenna Lamkin, who had both singled, scored, upping the Quitman lead to 6-2 and setting the stage for a de-ja-vu moment of Staggs repeating her feat of an inning before with her second single and RBI of the game to plate Bowers. Putting a perfect finish to Briley’s “tragedy to triumph” dramatic saga, the back-to-back doubles that accounted for two RBI and 2 runs scored led to Bowers being voted Most Valuable Player of the championship game. 

“For her to be in a neck brace the week before and to get cleared to play, it’s just amazing. Then to become the MVP in the championship game, I mean, it’s like a storybook,” said Dodson. “She constantly works so hard, and I’m so proud of her for staying patient in the box and taking what the pitcher gave her. It was a big reason why we won the state championship.” 

Saving the Day! Give Anacoco credit. The team that came in the Class B tournament with as many wins as losses proved the mettle that allowed them to upset top-seeded Stanley in the semi-finals.  After Lamkin got two quick outs, Anacoco drew two walks. Dodson then summoned Maggie Guyotte to the circle and Anococo promptly hit a single and a double that scored three to narrow the gap to 7-5. Dodson then called for an intentional walk to set up a force out. In only her second relief appearance of the year and second of the state tournament, Guyotte then coaxed a ground out to second, ending the contest and sending the Lady Wolverines into delirium as they dog piled behind the mound in celebration. 

See the Quitman ending game celebration by clicking here.