Brookwood ends Lee County’s softball season

LEESBURG — A handful of seniors hugged Lee County High School softball coach Dwayne Suggs for the last time.

Then they walked slowly across the field. Some struggled to hold back the tears.

After gaining some positive momentum against Brookwood ace Amanda Ablan in a Game 2 victory Wednesday night, Ablan returned with a vengeance on Thursday in Game 3 of the best-of-three Class AAAAAA state softball playoffs.

The Georgia commit struck out 13 and allowed just a late hit and a walk to deny herself a perfect game. She helped end Lee County’s dream season with an 8-0 shutout.

She took a perfect game into the sixth where she promptly set down the first two Lee County hitters, then she walked pinch hitter Mikayla Eubanks before surrendering a single to leadoff batter Caitlyn Lawton. But she settled back down and recorded a strikeout to end the game — and Lee County’s season.

“I tip my hat to her,” Suggs said. “But I’m proud of these girls for the season we had. Nobody expected us to finish the season the way we did.”

The Lady Trojans entered Thursday riding a wave of confidence. After they got shut down in Game 1 on Wednesday, they touched Ablan for seven hits, including a trio of homers, in Game 2 to win 7-5.

But Ablan returned to her Game 1 dominance on Thursday. After the Lady Broncos staked her to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, the senior right-hander quickly struck out the side in the first inning.

Brookwood added another run in the third to make it 3-0 and Lee County stayed within striking distance. But with Ablan in control, it was Brookwood’s game to lose.

They opened the floodgates in the top of the sixth, scoring five runs on six hits to grab a commanding lead. Then Ablan took the mound and closed the door on the Lady Trojans.

While Ablan drew the headlines, Brookwood’s offense also supplied her with all the offense she needed, thumping Lee County’s pitching staff for 14 hits.

“They had several hits and we had some mental errors,” Suggs said. “I figured she would come back … she’s recognized as one of the best in the state.”

The Lady Trojans end their season at 24-13. Suggs didn’t want to dwell on Thursday’s loss.

“These girls stepped up and responded,” he said. “I’m proud of the year they had.”