Clear skies greeted teams and fans at the Columbus Softball Complex as the first rounds of the GHSA State Fast Pitch Softball Tournament commenced on Thursday. However, Friday and Saturday could be vastly different with rain and thunderstorms in the forecast for most of the weekend.
Along with the first round games, Classes AAAAAAA, AAAAAA, and A-Public/Private also got through the second rounds of the winner’s bracket on Thursday evening.
In the state’s highest classification, Grayson and Mountain View survived two rounds and will play in the winner’s bracket semifinals at 8 p.m. on Friday. Grayson beat Etowah 6-0 and Mountain View outlasted top-ranked East Coweta 1-0 to earn the semifinal berth. On the way to the semis, Mountain View won 3-2 over North Forsyth in the first round before sending previously unbeaten East Coweta into the loser’s bracket. Grayson beat Colquitt County 10-2 in the first round before beating Etowah. Colquitt will face Peachtree Ridge and North Forsyth will play Parkview in the first round of the loser’s bracket at noon on Friday.
Dacula and Pope both advanced to the winner's bracket semifinals in the Class AAAAAA tournament. Dacula beat Creekview 2-1 and Pope defeated River Ridge 1-0 to earn the berth. In the loser's bracket, River Ridge awaits the winner of Lee County and Evans. Creekview awaits the winner of Northgate and Apalachee.
In Class AAAAA, Buford, Jones County, Locust Grove and Walnut Grove advanced. Buford will play Jones County and Locust Grove will face Walnut Grove in the winner’s bracket. Harris County will meet Whitewater and Starr’s Mill will face Carrollton in the first round of the loser’s bracket.
Madison County, Heritage-Catoosa, LaFayette and Oconee County each advanced in the Class AAAA winner’s bracket. Madison will face Heritage-Catoosa and LaFayette has Oconee County in the next round. In the loser’s bracket, Northside-Columbus will meet LaGrange and Central-Carroll is against Marist.
In Class AAA, Franklin County, Southeast Bulloch, Lovett and East Hall advanced. Franklin will play Southeast Bulloch and Lovett will meet Calhoun on Friday. In the first round of the loser’s bracket, Lumpkin will face Ringgold and Calhoun will play Jefferson.
Banks County, Lamar County, Harlem and Rockmart advanced in the AA bracket. Banks will play Lamar County and Harlem will face Rockmart in the winner’s bracket. In the first round of the loser’s bracket, Bremen will face Jeff Davis and Heard has Vidalia.
In Class A-Public, Gordon Lee and Commerce will are the survivors after two rounds of the winner's bracket. Gordon Lee beat Bowdon 12-0 to advance to the semis. Commerce earned its berth with a 9-1 victory over Georgia Military. In the loser's bracket, Bowdon awaits the winner of Marion County and Emanuel County Institute. Georgia Military will face the winner between Trion and Lanier County.
In Class A-Private, Mount de Sales defeated back-to-back champion Wesleyan 4-2 to earn its semifinal berth against George Walton. George Walton defeated Tattnall Square 4-0 to earn its berth. Wesleyan awaits the winner of Eagle's Landing Christian and Mount Paran in the loser's bracket. The winner of Hebron Christian and Stratford Academy will face Tattnall Square in the second round of the loser's bracket.
Follow the link here to see the schedule/scores and here to see the brackets.
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