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Sonoraville defeats Heritage in battle of softball state champions

Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville's Daytona Bradley slides into home during Monday's 9-4 win at Heritage Monday in a nonregion matchup of defending GHSA state champions.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville's Daytona Bradley slides into home during Monday's 9-4 win at Heritage Monday in a nonregion matchup of defending GHSA state champions. Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville's Daytona Bradley slides into home during Monday's 9-4 win at Heritage Monday in a nonregion matchup of defending GHSA state champions.

By Patrick MacCoon 5 min read

RINGGOLD, Ga. — After notching its first GHSA state softball title last fall, Sonoraville is ready for more.

The Lady Phoenix appear capable of doing so with a young core, as 15th-year coach Chad Hayes’ team collected 14 hits in a 9-4 road victory over fellow defending state champion Heritage on Monday evening.

Sophomore Marley Hall set the tone from the No. 3 spot in the lineup, doubling twice and driving in a game-high three runs while collecting three of the Lady Phoenix’s 14 hits.

Class AAA’s Sonoraville (16-4) has been hard to stop in the 3-4 spot of its lineup this year as Hall and classmate Kaylee Sitten have combined for 30 extra-base hits and 48 RBIs. Sitten leads the team with a .552 batting average and had one of her team’s five doubles in Monday’s impressive victory.

Sonoraville vs. Heritage softball on Sept. 21, 2026

Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville head coach Chad Hayes disputes an umpire's call during an away game against Heritage on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville head coach Chad Hayes disputes an umpire’s call during an away game against Heritage on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Heritage's Peyton Fowler (2) reaches home plate during a home game against Sonoraville on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Heritage’s Peyton Fowler (2) reaches home plate during a home game against Sonoraville on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville's Jayda White (52) pitches the ball during an away game against Heritage on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville’s Jayda White (52) pitches the ball during an away game against Heritage on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville's Keegan Angel (8) swings at Heritage's pitch during an away game on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville’s Keegan Angel (8) swings at Heritage’s pitch during an away game on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Heritage's Brylee Pritchett (8) passes to first base after getting one of Sonoraville's runners out at second during a home game on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Heritage’s Brylee Pritchett (8) passes to first base after getting one of Sonoraville’s runners out at second during a home game on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Heritage's Addie Penko (6) winds up her pitch during a home game against Sonoraville on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Heritage’s Addie Penko (6) winds up her pitch during a home game against Sonoraville on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville head coach Chad Hayes walks on the green before an away game against Heritage on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville head coach Chad Hayes walks on the green before an away game against Heritage on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Heritage's Addie Wilson (11) catches a pass to first base getting Sonoraville's Peyton Angel (14) out during a home game on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Heritage’s Addie Wilson (11) catches a pass to first base getting Sonoraville’s Peyton Angel (14) out during a home game on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville softball players cheer from the dugout during an away game against Heritage on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville softball players cheer from the dugout during an away game against Heritage on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville's Marley Hall (6) celebrates making it to second base during an away game against Heritage on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville’s Marley Hall (6) celebrates making it to second base during an away game against Heritage on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville's Keegan Angel slides into third base during during Monday's 9-4 win at Heritage in a nonregion matchup of defending GHSA softball state champions.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville’s Keegan Angel slides into third base during during Monday’s 9-4 win at Heritage in a nonregion matchup of defending GHSA softball state champions.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville's Daytona Bradley slides into home during Monday's 9-4 win at Heritage Monday in a nonregion matchup of defending GHSA state champions.
Staff Photo by Seth Carpenter/ Sonoraville’s Daytona Bradley slides into home during Monday’s 9-4 win at Heritage Monday in a nonregion matchup of defending GHSA state champions.

“We really love to play games like these,” said Hayes, whose Lady Phoenix went 33-5 last season and won 14 straight games to capture the state championship with a 6-2 victory over Morgan County. “Our program has been to seven Elite Eights and four Final Fours, and we finally got over the hump last season. Hopefully, we can run it back. These types of games are really beneficial to us because they prepare us for the postseason.”