All three local GHSA softball teams that competed Thursday won deciding third games in second-round playoff series to reach their respective eight-team tournaments in Columbus next week, giving the area six programs still alive for state titles.
In Class AAA, second-seeded LaFayette (26-6) used a dominating outing from ace Marlie Day to get past No. 18 Dawson County in Class AAA, while Region 7 rival Heritage (19-10), seeded 13th, also advanced by rapping out 21 hits in a 17-5 win at No. 4 Harlem. And in Class A Division I, No. 9 Dade County (29-5) used a strong start to win 10-7 at No. 8 Lamar County.
Those teams will join reigning Class A D-I champion Gordon Lee, Class AA No. 2 seed Sonoraville and Class A D-II’s Trion in Columbus, with first-round games for all classifications taking place Wednesday.
LaFayette 2, Dawson County 0: Day, who pitched all 20 innings of the three-game home series for LaFayette, allowed one hit and struck out five batters for the Lady Ramblers in the clinching victory.
Tamra Yancy was 2-for-3, including a leadoff homer in the fourth for the only run Day would need. Later in the inning, Bralie Blevins singled and Addi Hogue’s hit drove in pinch-runner Brooklynn Myer for what would be the final margin.