CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. - Gordon Lee moved a step closer to a state title three-peat Wednesday, taking both ends of a doubleheader to advance to the Georgia Class A state tournament next week at Columbus.
The Lady Trojans bested visiting Charlton County 12-0 and 10-1 and took just nine innings to do it despite a two-week layoff.
"We weren't holding anything back, but we hadn't played in a couple of weeks," coach Dana Mull said.
Gordon Lee improved to 29-3, giving the team a record of 98-4 over the last three seasons. They were 37-1 in winning the 2011 championship and 38-0 while taking the 2010 crown. This year, though, they could be facing a diminished field with the GHSA deciding after last year's tournament to place private schools in a separate division.
"It doesn't make any difference to us," Mull said. "We're just playing to win."
While they looked a little rusty offensively, there was little rust on the pitching end, Kalei Kimbrell giving up two hits over four innings in the first game and Emily Armour allowing two hits in five innings in the second.
"They hadn't been out there in a while either but they settled in," Mull said.
The Lady Trojans utilized pressure tactics, running the bases aggressively and really breaking each game open with bunt singles, sacrifice bunts and patience that led to a total of seven walks.
They successfully laid down eight bunts for base hits.
"If they're going to give it we're going to take it. If they show a weakness we're going to capitalize on it," Mull said.
Gordon Lee will play the winner of the Johnson County-Baconter Charter series in a quarterfinal at Columbus next Thursday.