It wasn't the game plan going into the GHSA Class A public school second-round softball playoff series, but a blowout loss in game one against Lanier County might have been the best thing to happen to Trion.
The Lady Bulldogs, after being routed 13-1 in game one Wednesday, rallied in game two to force a deciding game Thursday. They used a strong outing from just-returned senior pitcher Lindsey Shepherd and a four-run third inning to advance to the Elite Eight in Columbus for the third consecutive season with a 7-1 win.
"They had no idea what we were capable of after that first game," Trion coach Jason Lanham said of the shocked hosts. "I am very, very pleased with the way they fought back. They got knocked down but got right back up."
Shepherd, who missed the regular season after undergoing surgery to repair her labrum, struck out six in the complete game. She also won game two Wednesday in her first start of the season.
"She had been throwing a bit and had closed out a couple of games, but these last two days she gave us a big shot in the arm," Lanham said. "Our whole team picked up when she took the ball."
* In other softball do-or-die games Thursday, Dade County scored seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat Berrien County 11-3 in Class AA, but Ringgold fell 10-2 to Pike County in Class AAA.
* Three of the five northwest Georgia volleyball teams advanced to Elite Eight competition with wins Thursday.
In Class AAAA, Ridgeland used a huge hitting night from T'ea Owens to sweep Troup County 3-0 by set scores of 25-17, 25-19, 25-18. Owens had 14 kills, 10 aces and 17 digs, while Taylor Williams had 24 assists to go with eight digs.
In Class AAA, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe swept visiting Southeast Bulloch, 25-11, 25-5, 25-10. Rachel Harwood was dominant with 17 kills and 15 aces, while Leah Oliver added 10 assists and four aces. Also in AAA, Sonoraville was a 3-1 winner over visiting Redan, winning the first two sets by 25-17 scores before losing set three 25-22 and ending it with a 25-17 win in set four.
Ringgold was eliminated at Westminster, 3-0, in Class AAA, while Gordon Lee fell to Landmark Christian, 3-0, in Class A.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296; follow on Twitter @youngsports22