By Staff Reports

 

COLUMBUS, GA – The Schley County Lady Wildcats Softball Team trailed 5-1 to defending Class A-Public State Champions Gordon Lee going into the sixth inning. The Lady Wildcats scored three runs to come to within one run at 5-4. However, the Lady Trojans (25-1) scored three more runs in the top of the seventh to salt away an 8-4 victory over Schley County on Thursday, October 25, in the GHSA Class A-Public State Tournament at the Golden Park Softball Complex in Columbus.

The loss puts the Lady Wildcats (18-6) into the losers’ bracket. The Lady Wildcats will play an elimination game against Seminole County on Friday, October 26, at 12:30 p.m. The ladies from Donalsonville lost to Marion County in their first game by the score of 5-3.

In the game against Gordon Lee, both teams scored a run in the first inning. Schley County was the home team. With two on and two outs, Emma Minghini singled home a run to put the Lady Trojans on the board first.

Schley County responded in their half of the inning. With two outs, Emily Campbell homered to tie the score at 1-1. Gordon Lee scored a run in the top of the third inning to take a 2-1 lead. With two outs, Paxton Grimes was intentionally walked. Minghini then grounded into a fielder’s choice, advancing Grimes to second. Emma Langston then singled to right field, scoring Grimes to give the Lady Trojans the 2-1 lead.

Trouble began for Schley County in the top of the fifth. The Lady Trojans led off the inning with two-straight singles from Maddie Clark and Paxton Grimes. This led to a three-run inning for Gordon Lee, giving them a 5-1 lead.

However, Schley County fought back in the bottom of the sixth. Alexis Bradshaw singled to lead off the inning, followed by a single from Carmen Phillips. Emily Campbell then belted a three-run home run to cut the deficit to 5-4. It was her second of the game.

Unfortunately for the Lady Wildcats, Gordon Lee showed why they have won multiple state championships. Kirbie Bradley led off the inning with a single, followed by a sacrifice bunt by Macie Pearson to advance Bradley to second base. A. Logan then singled to move Bradley to third. Addison Sturdivant then singled home Bradley to give the Lady Trojans a 6-4 lead. Regan Thompson then hit into a fielder’s choice, scoring Logan from third and advancing Sturdivant to third. After Schley County starter Saige Whaley walked Maddie Clark, Sturdivant scored on a passed ball to make the score 8-4 Gordon Lee.

Schley County tried to rally in the bottom of the seventh. However, Perri DeVane flew out to center field, Jade Sellars grounded out to third and Tamia Kelley made the last out as she grounded to the pitcher, Emma Langston, to end the game.

Emily Campbell led the Wildcats offensively. She was 2-for-3 at the plate, including a solo home run in the first and a three-run home run in the sixth. She scored two runs and drove in four RBIs. Alexis Bradshaw and Carmen Phillips both went 1-for-3 and scored a run. Landry Whaley also got a hit for Schley County, going 1-for-3.

Maddie Clark and Addison Sturdivant led Gordon Lee offensively. They both went 3-for-4 at the plate. Clark scored two runs and Sturdivant drove in two RBIs.

Saige Whaley started in the circle for Schley County. She pitched the entire game. Whaley gave up eight runs on 15 hits. She walked two and struck out two.

For Gordon Lee, Emma Langston started in the circle. Langston gave up four runs on five hits. She walked one and struck out four.