Terrell Academy Lady Eagles’ Final Four bid halted after thrilling tournament run

COLUMBUS — Thursday at the GIAA state softball tournament, Terrell Academy looked every bit like a team capable of challenging the state’s elite. The Lady Eagles racked up 27 hits in their first two games and played their way into the Final Four before running into a familiar powerhouse — Westfield, the seven-time defending state champion.

In Friday’s matchup, Westfield’s ace Camilla Bloodworth proved why the Lady Hornets have owned GIAA softball for nearly a decade. Bloodworth threw a no-hitter, striking out 11 and walking just two as Westfield edged Terrell 3-0 in a winner’s bracket contest.

Terrell Academy starter Caroline Presley pitched well in defeat, going six innings and allowing three runs (two earned) on 10 hits. Westfield broke through in the third inning when Madeline Katz delivered a two-run single. Presley retired the next several batters to keep the Lady Eagles close, but Terrell’s offense — which had been red-hot earlier — was silenced by Bloodworth’s command and velocity.

That loss sent the Lady Eagles to the loser’s bracket, where they faced John Milledge Academy for a chance to earn another shot at Westfield.

Terrell jumped out early behind a sacrifice fly from Lily Addison in the first inning and a three-run second that featured an RBI single by Presley and a two-RBI triple by catcher Emma Lane, building a 4-0 lead.

John Milledge clawed back with four runs in the third to tie it, but Lane’s sharply hit ball in the fourth gave Terrell a brief 5-4 lead when Hadley Webb came home to score. The Lady Eagles’ hopes faded in the fifth, however, when two hits and an error led to a pair of John Milledge runs and a 6-5 loss.

Presley went the distance once again, striking out four while giving up six runs (four earned) on 15 hits. Lane finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs, and Webb added two hits for Terrell.

Head coach Ashley Walker said his team had nothing to hang their heads about. 

“We gave it everything we had. We had opportunities to win but fell short. It was what a Final Four game is supposed to be — exciting and action-packed. We accomplished many goals — we won 21 games and a region championship. Nothing to be disappointed about. It was a very fun year and words cannot express how proud I am,” he said.

John Milledge went on to face Westfield for the state championship on Saturday, with the Lady Hornets capturing their eighth straight GIAA title.

For Terrell, the season ended a game shy of a rematch with the champions — but with plenty to celebrate: a 21-win season, a region crown, and a postseason run that showed the Lady Eagles can compete with anyone in Georgia’s private-school ranks.