RINGGOLD, Ga. — One major goal accomplished, one to go for the Heritage Generals, who said both goodbye and hello to Columbus on Thursday.
The Generals, ranked third in Georgia in Class AAA, swept Columbus High 7-0 and 8-1 to earn a berth into the state Elite Eight in Columbus next week.
Two big innings were more than enough for junior pitcher Allison Vaughn, who limited eighth-ranked Columbus to eight hits and one unearned run in the two victories. Heritage (29-7) sent 11 batters to the plate in the fourth inning of game one, scoring six, and a six-run seventh inning in game two opened up what had been a tight contest for the Region 7-AAA champions.
Ringgold, meanwhile, extended its series at Carrollton until today at 4 p.m. with a 5-1 second-game win Thursday after losing 2-1.
The other Catoosa County high school, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe, upset Class AA’s top-ranked team with 4-2 and 3-2 wins at Greater Atlanta Christian, and Fannin County also advanced in AA by defeating Lovett 3-0 and 6-0 at Blue Ridge. North Murray lost 8-2 and 8-2 at Buford. In Class AAAA, Northwest Whitfield lost 4-3 to Pope in their first game.