WALNUT GROVE — Region 8 runner-up Walnut Grove ended Ware County’s season here Monday sweeping the Lady Gators in the first round of the Class 4A state softball tournament.
The Region 1 third-seed Lady Gators (10-19), who entered on a season-best four-game winning streak, had leads in each game of the October 13 doubleheader against the host before falling victim to two big rallies.
The Lady Warriors (1313) had a nine-run rally in the series opener overcoming a 2-0 deficit to win 10-2. They scored five runs in the seventh inning of the nightcap overcoming a 7-5 deficit to win.
Walnut Grove advanced to meet Region 4 champion Pace Academy (13-9) in a second round pairing. The Lady Knights swept Region 7 fourthseed Cass (18-10) winning 5-4 and 9-4.
Wayne County (21-6) was the sole Region 1 survivor in the matchup with Region 8. The region champion Lady Yellow Jackets blanked fourthseed Flowery Branch (1218) twice in a 3-0 and 11-0 sweep. Wayne County faces Region 7 runner-up Allatoona in the second round. The Lady Buccaneers pounded Region 4 third-seed Midtown winning 13-1 and 18-0.
Region runner-up Perry (7-14) lost 4-3 in the “if” game to third seed Madison County (14-16). The Lady Panthers forced the deciding game with a 10-0 victory in Game 2 following a 7-3 setback in the series opener.
Fourth-seed Warner Robins (1019) was overpowered by top-ranked and unbeaten region champion Eastside (26-0). The Lady Demons fell 9-0 and 18-0.
Game 1 Walnut Grove.....................10 Lady Gators .........................2
The Lady Warriors stormed back from Ware County’s two-run top of the fourth with a nine-run bottom of the inning en route to taking the series opener in six innings.
The Lady Gators’ Teriayn Kirkland (3.2 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 4 K, 1 BB) and Walnut Groves’ Gracie Starrett (6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 9 K, 1 BB) were each perfect through the first three frames retiring all nine batters.
Ware County’s Ashyln Jacobs was the first baserunner of the game drawing a one-out walk in the top of the fourth. Amberley Padgett (1-for-2) followed two batters later blasting a two-out, two-run homer off a 3-1 offering for a 2-0 lead. The homer was Padgett’s team-leading second of the season.
The Lady Warriors did most of their damage after two outs and trailing 2-1. Eight consecutive batters as Walnut Grove strung together five hits, drew two walks and capitalized on a fielding error.
A leadoff triple was followed by a run-scoring single with Kirkland getting the next two batters. The outs were followed by an infield hit and a two-run double giving the Lady Warriors the lead at 3-2.
A walk and a two-run single increased the margin to 5-2. An infield hit was followed by a run-scoring passed ball for a 6-2 advantage. A two-base error, one of five committed by Ware County, after a second walk scored two runs.
A first-pitch run-scoring single against Kayleigh LeMay (1.1 IP, 1 h, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 K 2 BB, 1 WP) capped the uprising and a 9-2 lead for Walnut Grove.
The Lady Warriors ended the game in the bottom of the sixth with Mattie Forsyth (.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 K, 0 BB) toeing the rubber.
An error and a single started the inning. A one-out, run-scoring single ended the game.
Game 2 Walnut Grove.....................10 Lady Gators .........................7
A two-out, two-run double in the top of the seventh inning gave Walnut Grove a 9-7 lead in the series clinching victory over the Lady Gators.
The Lady Warriors trailed 7-5 entering the last inning and were down to their final out trailing by a run.
Walnut Grove sandwiched a pair of walks around a single loading the bases with nobody out against Kirkland (5.2 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 5 K, 4 BB, 1 WP), who came on in the second inning in relief of LeMay (1.1 IP 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 K, 0 BB).
Two flyouts, the last a sacrifice fly, closed the deficit to 7-6. A firstpitch double followed scoring both runners. The batter jetted around the bases scoring on a throwing error for a 9-6 advantage. A single and a run-scoring double finished off the comeback for a 10-7 lead.
The Lady Warriors plated two runs in their opening at bat scoring on an error and a bases loaded, fielder’s choice groundout.
Ware County tied the score in the bottom of the inning at 2-apiece. Jacobs (2-for-3) laced a one-out double and scored on Kirkland’s (1for-4) ensuing double. Padgett (1for-3) followed three pitches later with a run-scoring single to tie the game.
Walnut Grove reclaimed the lead at 4-2 with two runs in the top of the second scoring both runs on a one-out throwing error.
The Lady Gators put together a five-run uprising in the bottom of the third to open up a 7-4 advantage.
Musgrove (1-for-2) was hit by the first pitch of the inning with Jacobs following one pitch later with a single. A one-out error on a ball hit by Padgett loaded the bases.
Kallie Lairsey (1-for-4) followed with a run-scoring bloop single cutting the deficit to 4-3. After Foryth walked forcing home the tying run, Kara Coleman (1-for-4) delivered a two-run single for a 6-4 lead. Addi Pittman’s ensuing sacrifice fly upped the margin to 7-4.
The Lady Warriors closed the margin to 7-5 in the fifth scoring on a two-out error.
