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Tuesday, November 10, 2026Nov 10

Heritage softball team earns spot in final eight with sweep

From left, Heritage softball teammates Carmen Gayler, Morgan Phillips and Sarah Haynes cheer from the dugout during a state playoff game against Central-Carroll on Wednesday in Ringgold, Ga. The host Lady Generals swept a doubleheader in wildly varying fashion, winning 2-1 and 12-0 to take the best-of-three series.
From left, Heritage softball teammates Carmen Gayler, Morgan Phillips and Sarah Haynes cheer from the dugout during a state playoff game against Central-Carroll on Wednesday in Ringgold, Ga. The host Lady Generals swept a doubleheader in wildly varying fashion, winning 2-1 and 12-0 to take the best-of-three series. From left, Heritage softball teammates Carmen Gayler, Morgan Phillips and Sarah Haynes cheer from the dugout during a state playoff game against Central-Carroll on Wednesday in Ringgold, Ga. The host Lady Generals swept a doubleheader in wildly varying fashion, winning 2-1 and 12-0 to take the best-of-three series.

RINGGOLD, Ga. – Knowing there are tougher days ahead for his team, Heritage softball coach Tanner Moore saw some very encouraging things Wednesday night as the Lady Generals swept Central-Carroll in a doubleheader to take their best-of-three series in the second round of the GHSA Class AAAA state playoffs.

The Lady Generals (21-6) are now among the bracket’s final eight teams who will play in the double-elimination state tournament next week in Columbus. They’re also perfect so far in the postseason after winning 2-1 and 12-0 against the program that won a state title two years ago.

As Heritage extended its run Wednesday, Moore watched super sophomore pitcher Rachel Gibson bear down to win game one and his hitters come alive in game two.

“I feel like we are a confident team right now, and a confident team is a dangerous one,” Moore said. “They did an unbelievable job keeping our girls off balance the first game, going in and out and using the changeup well. Rachel was locating really well. She’s a bulldog, and when she’s able to work both sides of the plate, she is tough to hit.

“I challenged them the second game on a few adjustments, and championship teams make those adjustments and they did a great job of executing that second game.”