KERSHAW - Midnight fell on Bishop England's softball season Friday afternoon when the Lady Bishops dropped a 10-0 softball game to defending Class AA state champion Andrew Jackson at the Volunteers' field.

The Volunteers (31-3) snapped a scoreless draw with a nine-run third inning on the way to a six-inning mercy rule victory.

Andrew Jackson, unbeaten in postseason play, clicked on all cylinders behind senior hurler Casey Faile, who struck out 13 and hurled a perfect game.

Faile, 20-21 in the playoffs at the plate, capped the win, lining a home run over the right-center field fence in the Andrew Jackson sixth.

'I told Casey to go up there and swing for the fence because it would be fitting for her to close out this series with a home run to win the game and clinch the Lower State championship here,' said Andrew Jackson coach Steve Middleton. 'I was happy for her because it was a shining moment for her and she doesn't have many left with her Andrew Jackson softball career coming to a close.'

Bishops coach Mark Pender tipped his cap to Faile, who signed with Louisiana State University last fall.

'For Andrew Jackson , it starts with Faile,' Pender said. 'She can hurt you on the mound and at the plate.'

Faile, for the overcast afternoon, was one of several Andrew Jackson bright spots. She was 3-3 with a pair of runs batted in, including her game-ending solo home run.

'We knew coming in here today it would be tough because Andrew Jackson is the defending state champion and they have a veteran team,' Pender said. 'The nine-run third was big for them. We just couldn't get out of the inning. Faile is one of the top players in the state in all classifications.'

In that inning, AJ took control as the Lady Vols sent 13 batters to the plate against B-E hurler Kaylie Waller, who finished 19-13.

Pender said the Lady Bishops, who fell to AJ 3-0 at home to open the double-elimination Class AA Lower State playoffs last Saturday, had a solid season.

'We stepped up to the challenge against a challenging schedule this season,' he said. 'We're a young team with two seniors. Hopefully, the experience we gained this season will help us in the future.'

B-E, which won the Class AA District VII title to qualify for the Class AA Lower State title series, finished 22-13.