COLUMBUS -- To win a championship often requires a bit of luck. Class AAA got its first break last week when No. 1-ranked and 2008 state champion Oconee County was knocked out by Allatoona in the second round of the girls softball playoffs.
That may have be the best news White County coach John Brown could have received after his Lady Warriors advanced to the state finals round for the first time ever with a two-game sweep of St. Pius last week.
"(Oconee) losing really makes this thing wide-open," Brown said. "They had the best pitching, at least most felt they did, coming into the tournament -- so that was a big surprise. That may be the first break for everyone."
White County (26-6) will open the state finals, which is a traditional double-elimination format, Thursday at 3:30 p.m. against Eastside (20-15) at the Columbus Softball Complex.
Both teams come in hot having swept four games in the playoffs. The Lady Warriors are clicking on all cylinders, averaging over 11 runs a game and allowing just five total runs in four games. Eastside is averaging 7.0 runs per game (rpg) and has given up just nine runs in the playoffs.
White County is led by senior Stephanie Satterfield, who is closing in on the all-time state record for home runs in a season. Satterfield has belted 12 round-trippers already, just four shy of the record of 16 set twice.
Brown said his squad will have to score runs to win.
"Our pitching is good but not dominant," he said. "The key for us will be scoring. I feel we can hit anyone so hopefully we can put pressure on the other teams with our offense."
The winner will get the Thomson-Walnut Grove winner at 7:30 p.m. Thursday with a chance to move to the final four. White County whipped Walnut Grove 13-0 in Region 8-AAA playoffs.
There was no such luck in the draw for Buford or Union County in the Class AA tournament. The top-ranked Lady Wolves and second-ranked Union County are on a collision-course to meet in the second round of the state finals if both take care of business in the opening round.
Buford (28-4) will play Jeff Davis (29-7) in the opening round, while Union County (28-2-1) will take on Pike County (22-7). Both games will be at noon Thursday at the Columbus Softball Complex. The Lady Wolves are seeking their fourth straight state title.
If both Buford and Union County win they will meet in the second round of the state finals at 5:30 p.m. with a spot in the semifinals at stake.
Union County coach Jessica Stewart said they know Buford is there but cannot look past Pike County.
"We beat (Pike) last year but it took three games so anything can happen. We're just focusing on Pike right now," Stewart said. "But we hope to get that chance to play Buford in the second round."
Buford and Union met earlier in the year with the Lady Wolves taking a 3-2 win. Stewart said that was when she felt this team had a chance for a special season.
"We haven't beaten (Buford) since I've been here, but the game this year gave us confidence that we could play with them and win," she said. "It was a close game and we had chances. I think we're a better team since then with a lot more confidence. But, we won't get that chance if we don't show up against Pike. Really, that's all we're thinking about."
STATE SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS
-- WHERE: South Commons Softball Complex, Columbus
-- WHEN: Thursday-Saturday
-- AREA TEAMS INVOLVED: White County, Class AAA; Buford, Class AA; Union County, Class AA
Friday
January 31st, 2025
5:47AM
