Lady Leopards fall just short of state tourney

BY CHRIS BRIDGES
When the Region 8-AA tournament was over for the Banks County High School softball team, the Lady Leopards were one game shy of state play.

To be more exact, BCHS was two runs away.

The Lady Leopards fell to Dawson County 3-1 in a game they needed to win to guarantee themselves a spot at the next level. BCHS entered the contest off a 18-1 thrashing of Oglethorpe County, but could not manage to get past the Lady Tigers.

“We had a good bit of momentum and confidence going into the Dawson County game,” coach Josh Lord said. “However, we could never really mount a major offensive threat as Dawson’s pitcher located well and mixed up her pitched. It was a tough game to lose.”

The Lady Tigers scored three unearned runs in the fifth inning with two outs.
“We finished the season one win agway from state,” Lord said. “I was proud of the strong showing we had at region. We definitely had a lot to be proud of with our effort.”

Kim Thomas worked the first 4.2 innings against Dawson County recording three strikeouts. Jordan Rogers pitched the final 1.1 innings.

Hayley Baird had two hits including a triple. Madison Franklin, Ashley Denton and Laura Rose Pickens each had a single. Thomas drove in Banks’ lone run.

In the previous game against Oglethorpe County, the Lady Leopards pushed 18 runs against. The Lady Patriots were without their top pitcher who was injuried and not available.

“We were able to wait on our pitch at the plate, and most often, we did not miss it,” Lord said. “It was the most runs scored of the year and most hits (20). We showed the power we are capable of. It was a great game for us all around.”

BCHS set the tone early with eight runs in the first inning which allowed Rogers to settle in and throw to contact, Lord said.
Franklin was 4-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored. The freshman had two doubles and a triple.

Baird was 3-for-4 with two RBI, three runs, a double and a walk. Madison Porter was 3-for-3 with a double, two runs scored and four RBI.

Denton, Pickens and Brittany Cook all had two hits. Samm Kennedy scored two runs in the win.