Embry, McNair meet again on the softball field

When former Neshoba Central softball Coach Trae Embry opened the 2021season with his new team at Holmes Community College last Tuesday, there was a familiar face on the other side of the plate.

The Lady Bulldogs were hosting East Mississippi Community College which is led by former Philadelphia High School Coach Austin McNair.

Both had outstanding careers while they coached the local high school teams. Embry led the Lady Rockets to 15 straight state championships in fast-pitch and slow-pitch softball.

McNair is in his third season at East Mississippi. He guided Philadelphia High School to the 2015 Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 3A state fast-pitch softball championship along with back-to-back state slow-pitch titles in 2014 and 2015. They were the state fast-pitch runners-up in 2016.

It is no secret that the Philadelphia-Neshoba County area is a hot bed for girls softball and these two men played a part in it in the 10 years.

Holmes swept the double-header, defeating East Mississippi 10-2 and 14-11.

“We were down in the second game and found a way to come back and win,” said Embry. “We showed some guts to come back and win it.”