Local softball teams in middle of playoffs

While the high school football season is in full swing, multiple area schools are still alive in the state softball playoffs.

Worth County and Lee County made it through the first round of the tournament and will start second round play today. Baconton Charter will be playing in its first round of the tournament.

All three will be playing in a best-of-three series with the chance to advance and play in the state tournament in Columbus on the line.

Worth County will play host to Whitewater in Class AAAA with the opening game starting at 5 p.m. In the first round, the Lady Rams beat Hampton 8-0 and 9-4 in consecutive games to advance.

The Lady Rams are led by pitcher Caroline Newton, who pitched in both games of the first round and will start Game 1 against Whitewater. Offensively, the Lady Rams received home runs from Abbey Adkins and Lindsey Toneygay in the first-round series.

“I am feeling pretty good. I think my girls are ready,” Worth coach Kaleb Hathcock said. “They are excited, but they still know what is at stake and they are ready to take care of business.”

In the Class A public school division, Baconton will welcome Taylor County with the series opener starting at 3 p.m. The top-rankedLady Blazers finished the year 24-2 and won all 13 region games. Senior Gracie Cranford will pitch in the first game of the series while the starter for the second game is undecided.

“We are pretty excited,” Baconton coach Bubber Birdsong said. “We have had an unbelievable year to be honest with you. It is kind of a reward for a really good season to get back here.”

In Class AAAAAA, Lee County will have arguably the toughest matchup as they welcome state power Brookwood. In the opening round, Lee won the first game against North Cobb before falling in Game 2. Then they won the series with a thrilling third game victory.

“We had good preparation on (Monday) and we are looking for good preparation on (Tuesday),” Lee coach Dwayne Suggs said. “We know we are up against a good team. Anytime you get this far in the playoffs, just about everyone you are going to play is going to be good.”

The Lady Trojans were down 5-0 in the third game and on the brink of elimination, but they chipped away at the lead, then scored four runs in the sixth inning to come back and win 7-6. Lee shortstop Ally Clegg finished the game 3 for 3 with a home run and four RBIs. The Lady Trojans also received two-hit performances from Bri Duren and Jenna Hollomon.

Lee will start Chelsea Morrow in the first game and Danielle Davis in Game 2.

The first game starts at 5 p.m. with the second game scheduled to start around 7 p.m.