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."
Gibson allowed just three hits in game one while striking out nine batters and walking none. Heritage took a 2-0 lead in the second inning when Katie Proctor scored on what was ruled an illegal pitch by Maggie Harris, and Mallory Lowe followed two batters later with a sacrifice fly. Harris baffled the Lady Generals from there, allowing only three hits.
Gibson had a no-hitter going into the sixth, but she allowed back-to-back two-out singles before escaping more trouble. Taylor Stevens led off the seventh for Central (21-11) with a triple and scored on a groundout before Gibson retired the final two batters to seal the win.
Having implored his batters to lay off Harris's changeup in game two, the Lady Generals found her other pitches much more inviting. They pounded seven extra base hits, including Gibson's second-inning homer, in the game shortened to four innings by the mercy rule.
Bailey Christol, Carmen Gayler and Riley KoKinda each had two hits and combined for eight RBIs, backing Gibson, who struck out seven in four no-hit innings.
Heritage will face the winner of the second-round playoff series between Mary Persons and Northside-Columbus next Thursday in Columbus. The Lady Generals join Region 6 rival LaFayette, which swept Chapel Hill on Tuesday, 8-7 and 1-0.
» In Class AAAAAA, Dalton continued to roll, sweeping Northgate 8-0 and 4-1 to also earn a trip to Columbus.
Elly Souther pitched a five-inning no-hitter in game one, facing only one over the minimum, and added a two-run double. Emily Brunson earned the win in game two with four innings of one-run pitching, with Souther earning the save with three near-perfect innings. Brooke Belflower and McCall Maret had two hits each in game two, each also driving in a run.
"That was two big ones," said Dalton coach Stacy Parker, whose team has won nine consecutive games. "Our defense played really well, and we got some great pitching and some timely hits. I am just super proud of this group, and this is the third time in four years to make it to Columbus. I hope they can keep it rolling."
» In Class AAA, the news wasn't so good for a pair of area teams. Surprising Ringgold's season ended with 3-2 and 11-0 losses at Jefferson. The Lady Tigers rallied in game one with both their runs in the seventh but left the tying run on as Jefferson's Emily Perrin escaped further trouble. Freshman Baileigh Pitts had a homer in game one and a double in game two.
Coahulla Creek lost 2-0 and 8-2 at Franklin County. Calhoun and Sonoraville moved their second-round series back a day due to wet fields. Calhoun will host Jackson County today, when Sonoraville welcomes Morgan County.
» In Class AA, Chattooga split at Social Circle, winning game one 3-0 as Hannah Thrasher pitched a four-hitter and hit a solo home run, and falling 2-0 in game two as the hosts scored a pair of runs in the seventh inning. Game three is today.
» In Class A private, Christian Heritage, lost 8-6 and 11-3 at Tattnall Square. Trion plays at Emanuel County Institute in a Class A public second-round series that starts today.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.