Terrell Academy softball whips Tiftarea, 13-3

DAWSON — Terrell Academy is playing some of its best softball with the postseason approaching.

Now the Lady Eagles are preparing for another shot at the team that has set the standard in GIAA softball for nearly a decade.

Terrell Academy remained in second place in the region Thursday with a 13-3 victory over Tiftarea Academy, improving to 10-6 overall and 4-1 in region play.

The Lady Eagles’ only region loss came against nine-time defending state champion Westfield, which beat Terrell Academy 6-2 last week. Westfield remains unbeaten in region play and will visit Dawson on Thursday at 4 p.m. for the rematch.

“Right now we have one loss and Westfield is undefeated in the region,” Terrell Academy coach Ashley Walker said. “They beat us last week 6-2. We play them next Thursday in Dawson at 4:00.”

The Lady Eagles certainly looked ready for the challenge Thursday.

Terrell Academy exploded for eight runs in the first inning against Tiftarea and added five more in the second to build a 13-0 lead.

Alyssa Godwin delivered the biggest hit of the opening inning, clearing the bases with a three-run double. Lily Addison added an RBI single, while Jaelynn Oliver, Caroline Presley and Kacy Sheffield drew bases-loaded walks.

The Lady Eagles kept pouring it on in the second.

Hadley Webb tripled home a run and Michaela Zingarelli followed with an RBI single. Presley drew another run-scoring walk, while an error and Godwin’s RBI fielder’s choice helped stretch the advantage to 13-0.

Godwin finished with four RBIs to lead the offense.

Terrell Academy also showed patience at the plate, drawing nine walks. Presley, Blakely Aultman and Sheffield walked twice apiece.

Zingarelli earned the win in the circle, allowing two hits over two scoreless innings. Aultman pitched the final three innings, with Tiftarea’s only runs coming on a three-run homer in the fourth.

The Lady Eagles travel to Central Fellowship Christian Academy on Tuesday before returning home for the showdown with Westfield.

Walker believes his team is approaching the postseason from a good position, although he knows there are areas that still need work.

“We are playing good softball right now,” Walker said. “I feel good about where we are. We have some things we need to clean up and get a little more consistent throughout the lineup before the tournament.

“We always have room for improvement, but right now I feel like we are where we need to be at this point of the season.”