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Seven NW Georgia softball teams are one step from Columbus

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Heritage softball coach Megan Crawford celebrates with (5) Jenna Ryans after Ryans hit a two-run triple against East Forsyth in a playoff game last year en route to the team's GHSA Class AAAA state championship. Heritage is the top seed in Class AAA this year.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Heritage softball coach Megan Crawford celebrates with (5) Jenna Ryans after Ryans hit a two-run triple against East Forsyth in a playoff game last year en route to the team's GHSA Class AAAA state championship. Heritage is the top seed in Class AAA this year. Staff photo by Matt Hamilton/ Heritage softball coach Megan Crawford celebrates with (5) Jenna Ryans after Ryans hit a two-run triple against East Forsyth in a playoff game last year en route to the team's GHSA Class AAAA state championship. Heritage is the top seed in Class AAA this year.

By Lindsey Young 4 min read

The first round of the GHSA fastpitch softball playoffs once again displayed the talent and depth of programs in the northwest part of the state.

Seven area teams won first-round series this past week and are one step away from advancing to the Elite Eight brackets in Columbus beginning Oct. 30.

Though some of the teams are postseason regulars, including multi-time titlists Gordon Lee and Heritage, the 2024 softball playoffs are a bit different in makeup. This postseason is the first to feature the GHSA’s new ranking system for Classes A (Division I only) through AAA.

Private schools in those competitions were moved to a single separate bracket, with teams then seeded one through 32 in the three public school brackets and the one private school bracket. The No. 1 seed faced the No. 32 seed; No. 2 went against No. 31 and so on.

Schools in the state’s lowest classification, Class A Division II, were placed according to region finish.