CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. - Softball games are sometimes known for traditions unique to each team, from the dugout chatter to the complex high-fives at the mound to start each inning.
At Gordon Lee, there is another tradition: Making a trip to Columbus to play in the state tournament - something the program has done for 15 consecutive years.
The host Lady Trojans booked their 16th straight pilgrimage with a doubleheader sweep of Academy for Classical Education on Wednesday, 9-0 and 5-3, to take a best-of-three series in the second round of the GHSA Class A public school playoffs.
Gordon Lee will now take aim at a fourth consecutive state title. The Lady Trojans have won seven in the past eight years.
"This is a different team, and they want to leave their mark like everybody else," coach Dana Mull said. "This was just another step towards our goal, and now we can focus on one game at a time."
Gordon Lee (28-1) won the first game of the doubleheader easily behind pitcher Emma Langston's near-perfect five innings in the circle. The freshman struck out six batters and walked none while giving up just a single with two outs in the final inning.
Playing as the visitor in the second game, the Lady Trojans faced a little adversity against the Gryphons (20-12). Sophomore pitcher Emma Minghini gave up two first-inning runs, and Gordon Lee left six on base in the first three innings to trail the Macon-area school 2-0.
After getting a run back in the top of the fourth to close the deficit to one, the Lady Trojans finally found a way to turn baserunners into runs in their next time at bat after the early missed opportunities. The big blow was a go-ahead two-run single by Kirbie Bradley, followed by another two-run single by Regan Thompson that gave Gordon Lee a 5-2 lead.
Minghini settled down in the circle after the rough start, giving up just one unearned run over the final six innings to get the win for the Lady Trojans.
"Give that team credit - they came out swinging that first inning," Mull said. "But Emma's a great pitcher, and we kept our composure and eventually did what we needed to do to get the win."
Contact Kevin Llewallyn at sports@timesfreepress.com.