Georgia Region 6-AAA softball got a little tighter Monday as one of the league's big three was upset and a new contender emerged.
Ringgold (8-5, 7-3), the defending state champions, fell 4-2 to Rockmart (10-5, 6-3), which suddenly joined the Lady Tigers and Coahulla Creek (15-3, 8-3 after an 11-4 win over North Murray) with three region losses. Those three trail Sonoraville (8-4, 8-1), which maintained its lead Monday with a 4-1 win over Adairsville.
Rockmart scored twice in the fifth inning to take the lead over Ringgold. The Lady Tigers, who had 11 hits, left nine runners on base, including having runners at second and third in the fifth to lead off the inning. Riley Nayadley had three hits and Jade Gainer two in the losing effort.
Sonoraville got another standout performance from ace Taylor Long, who allowed three hits and struck out 13 to down Adairsville. Taylor West was 2-for-3 with a run scored, while Kinsley Long and Rebecca Tippett each drove in a run for the Lady Phoenix.
Coahulla Creek scored five runs in the sixth inning to stave off any North Murray upset hopes. Emma Snyder drove in three runs on two hits and scored twice, while Tatum Poe had two hits, an RBI and run scored and Meka Henson had three RBIs for the Lady Colts, who host Sonoraville Thursday.
Also in northwest Georgia softball:
* Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 5, Dade County 2: Haley Stahl and Auna Rolfe each had two hits and an RBI for the Lady Warriors (9-5) in the nonregion game. Michaela Massey and Olivia Tierce drove in a run each for Dade (6-3-1).
* LaFayette 9, Murray County 1: Haynie Gilstrap had two hits and drove in a pair while also earning the pitching win by allowing one earned run in five innings. Jaselyn Couch had two hits and Summer Burkett and Maccaylah Thompson each drove in two runs for the Lady Ramblers (5-9, 4-6 in 6-AAA).
GOLF
Fresh off winning the City Prep with an impressive 1-under-par 71 at Bear Trace, Ashley Holland delivered once again for the Sale Creek girls' program.
Holland - a senior who recently committed to Carson-Newman where she will play with her older sister Hannah - led the Lady Panthers to the District 6 championship at the Brainerd Golf Course on Monday. Her 18-hole round of 77 led the field and also helped hold off Signal Mountain, which Sale Creek defeated 164-167.
Ashley Holland, who recently committed to Carson-Newman, helped lead Sale Creek's golf team to the District 6 championship Monday at Brainerd Golf Course. / Photo by Patrick MacCoon"Everything is falling into place for Ashley," Sale Creek golf coach Thomas Pickens said. "She works so hard and never gives up or gets down on herself. She is playing the best golf of her entire career. I just love to see all the work she has put into her game pay off."
Signal Mountain cruised to the boys' district title shooting a stellar foursome score of 300. Senior Benjamin Burns was the medalist with an even round of 72, while classmate and City Prep champion Beck Lewis finished with a strong 73. Carson Johnson finished third with a 77 for the Eagles.
* Four East Hamilton golfers shot 39 or better to beat Walker Valley, 154-158, at Chatata Valley. The Hurricanes were paced by Will Tracy's 37 (+1) to go with 39s from Eli Winkler, Tucker Wick and Joe Quinlan. Walker Valley's Cody Skipper also shot a 37 with Koleman Leslie two strokes behind.
* Boyd Buchanan defeated Notre Dame, 162-193, behind a strong outing from Gavin Greeson at the Brainerd Golf Course. Greeson led the field with a 37.
* Rhea County's boys team improved to 17-7 overall with a 344-347 victory over Cumberland County. The Golden Eagles were sparked by Kevin Rothwell who fired a 78 over 18 holes to earn medalist honors. Matthew Rothwell finished third with an 83. Rebecca Rogers led the Lady Golden Eagles with a 45.
VOLLEYBALL
* Sequatchie County 3, Marion County 0: The Lady Indians improved to 8-1 winning 27-25, 25-9 and 25-18. Cali Green, Zoe Smith and Sarah Brown all had double digit kills as Jayla Johnston fueled the attack with 17 assists. Sequatchie County was also led by Megan Hall's 15 digs and Abby Smith's four aces.
* Chattanooga Christian 3, Lookout Valley 0: The Lady Chargers received a stellar hitting performance from Amelia Bustamonte who had 12 kills in Monday's sweep. Kennedy Barber finished with nine kills and 18 assists for CCS.
* Hixson 3, Collegedale Academy 2: Jordan Westfall and Anna Johnston combined for 10 aces and 27 assists to help the Lady Wildcats claim a tough victory with a 16-14 final in the fifth set. Other Hixson standouts included Riley Bellamy (12 kills, 3 blocks), Ava Rogers (11 kills, 4 aces), Makenna Seitz (17 digs) and Jenna Westfall (3 aces).