Dade advances in state

TRENTON, Ga. -- Dade County proved it belonged in the GHSA Class AA softball playoffs Wednesday. The 19-10 Lady Wolverines defeated fourth-ranked Blessed Trinity, 3-2, to win their best-of-three first-round series. Dade, the Region 7-AA runner-up, will travel to second-ranked Oconee County to open a second-round series Friday.

Dade scored all its runs in the second inning Holly Gross opened the inning with a double, moved to third on Hillary Woodfin's RBI single and scored on a groundout by Karissa Sharp. Later in the inning, with two out and the bases loaded, Haleigh McBryar singled in one and Morgan Tinker drove in the third run with a bases-loaded walk.

Blessed Trinity (20-10) rallied for two runs in the third on back-to-back RBI singles from Katie Hawkins and Jessica Gatchalian, but Dade pitcher McBryar was strong the rest of the way. She worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the fifth, but allowed only a single the rest of the way.

Woodfin had two of the Lady Wolverines' hits, while Hawkins had a pair for Blessed Trinity. McBryar allowed six hits, no walks and struck out seven in improving to 16-8 on the season.

GHSA Class AA first round

DADE COUNTY 3, BLESSED TRINITY 2

Blessed Trinity 002 000 0 -- 2 6 0

Dade County 030 000 x -- 3 5 1

WP: Haley McBryar (16-8), 7 Ks. LP: Mary Brice Pring, 8 Ks. 2B: Holly Gross (DC). Other highlights: Hilary Woodfin 2-3, run; McBryar, Morgan Tinker, Karissa Sharp RBI each (DC); Katie Hawkins 2-3, RBI (BT). Records: Dade County 19-10; Blessed Trinity 20-10.