Gordon Lee drops opener at GHSA state softball; Dade, Heritage, Sonoraville win

Staff file photo by C.B. Schmelter / Zoe Wright drove in a run to help Heritage win its opening game of the GHSA Class AAAA softball state tournament Thursday in Columbus.
Staff file photo by C.B. Schmelter / Zoe Wright drove in a run to help Heritage win its opening game of the GHSA Class AAAA softball state tournament Thursday in Columbus.

Northwest Georgia programs had a difficult opening day at the GHSA fastpitch softball state tournament.

Seven area teams, representing five classes, went a combined 3-4 on Thursday in Columbus, with 11-time champion Gordon Lee's loss to Emanuel County Institute in Class A public the most eye-opening result. Sonoraville prevailed in its Class AAA opener over Southeast Bulloch, with Dade County downing Union County in AA and Heritage defeating North Oconee in AAAA.

Northwest Whitfield fell to Flowery Branch in AAAA and Chattooga lost to Jeff Davis in AA. All seven teams are scheduled to play Friday in the double-elimination tournament.

Class A public

ECI 4, Gordon Lee 1: The Lady Trojans (28-4), winners of six consecutive championships, led 1-0 until ECI (27-3) scored four runs in the fifth inning on a two-run double by Charla Clifton and a two-run error. Clifton was also the winning pitcher with a four-hitter, while Emma Langston took the loss after allowing two earned runs and three hits in five innings. Ali Farrow had Gordon Lee's RBI, with Chloee Fryar adding two hits and scoring.

The Lady Trojans face Screven County at 1 p.m. in an elimination game, with the winner playing again at 5. To add another championship trophy, Gordon Lee would then need to win four games Saturday.

Class AA

Dade County 5, Union County 2: The Lady Wolverines (27-2-1) advanced as Kayleigh Warnock went the distance and allowed seven hits and no earned runs while striking out seven batters. The team's seven, eight and nine hitters - Alyssa Wilson, Raegan Page and Emma Heard - combined for seven hits, two RBIs and two runs. Dade faces Bremen at 9 a.m. in the semifinals of the winners bracket.

Jeff Davis 11, Chattooga 1: The Lady Indians (20-6) were outhit 13-3 and now face Lovett at 1 p.m. in the losers bracket. For Jeff Davis (26-6), Kalleigh Sellers and Jaci Underwood combined for three RBIs as each hit a homer, with Bentlee Metts adding three hits and an RBI. Emma Howard accounted for Chattooga's RBI.

Class AAA

Sonoraville 1, Southeast Bulloch 0: Sonoraville pitcher Taylor Long was her usual dominant self with a one-hitter and 15 strikeouts. Molly Speach drove in the lone run with a single in the seventh, and Long made it stand up with a strikeout with the tying run at second base in the bottom half of the inning. The Lady Phoenix (26-5) face Appling County at 9 a.m.

Class AAAA

Heritage 7, North Oconee 4: Madeline Stone went 3-for-4 with a pair of homers and drove in four runs as Heritage (22-3) began its push for a fourth consecutive state championship. Macie Collins added two hits and scored, and Zoe Wright drove in a run for Heritage, which will play Flowery Branch at 11 a.m. Addie Edwards earned the pitching win after allowing three earned runs and seven hits in seven innings.

Flowery Branch 4, Northwest Whitfield 0: Nikki Harris pitched a two-hit, 17-strikeout gem against the Lady Bruins (24-11), who will face North Oconee at 3 p.m. in the losers bracket.

Class AAAAA

Loganville 12, Calhoun 2: An eight-run first inning was more than enough for Loganville (28-6), which received a three-run triple from Anna Waites and a two-run triple from Brooklyn Lippett. Espee Reyes and Macy Brown (2-for-2) hit solo homers for Calhoun (21-14), which faces Woodland-Bartow at 3 p.m. in the losers bracket.

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.

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