EC overcomes deficit, defeats Brookwood

Photos by Paula Stubbs 

Addie Joiner had an RBI single in the top of the fifth inning of the 4-3 win.

COLUMBUS-The East Coweta Lady Indians overcame a 2-0 deficit Thursday to defeat the Brookwood Lady Broncos 4-3 in a winners bracket game of the 7A Elite Eight Tournament at the South Commons Complex.

The win improved the Lady Indians' record as they advance to the next round to face the Buford Lady Wolves in a Friday rematch of the 2022 finalists at 5:00.

Buford advanced after a 12-4 win over Mill Creek in another winners bracket game.

Brookwood fell to 24-6-1 and will face either Lowndes or North Paulding who met in a losers bracket game on Thursday evening.

The Lady Broncos took the initial lead with a pair of home runs in the bottom of the first inning but only recorded one hit in the remainder of the game against Jada Savage.

The Lady Indians began their comeback in the top of the third inning as Maggie Stubbs reached on a bunt single, stole second before coming home when Madison Duffel lined a double to left field.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Lady Indians looked to take the lead as Mallory Lumpkins and Savage reached on consecutive one out singles.

Lumpkins was 2-for-4 in the game for the Lady Indians.

Riley Ratzlaff had a game tying double in the
top of the fourth inning.

A double by Riley Ratzlaff followed as Lumpkins came home while a sacrifice fly to left by Stubbs allowed courtesy runner Sophia Santiago to score from third base with the go ahead run.

Stubbs was 2-for-2 in the game and is 4-for-5 in the tournament with two runs scored and a pair of RBIs.

The Lady Indians added to the lead in the top of the fifth inning as Duffel reached on a single and scored on a two out single to left field by Addie Joiner.

Duffel was 3-for-4 at the plate and in the the first two games of the tournament is 7-for-8 with four runs scored and three RBIs.

The run became important as the Lady Broncos scored an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth inning on a wild pitch but were unable to solve Savage as she retired eight of the last nine batters in the game.

Savage, who recorded her 400th varsity strikeout in the 8-0 win over North Gwinnett on Wednesday, ended the game by recording her 10th of the evening. 

NOTES: The victory over North Gwinnett on Wednesday marked the ninth time in 10 years that East Coweta has won at least 30 games.

In 2020, the Lady Indians were 27-3 when they won the state title.

Duffel, Savage lead EC to win over North Gwinnett

File Photos by Paula Stubbs

Madison Duffel had a 4-for-4 afternoon with two runs scored,
three RBIs and two stolen bases in the win over North Gwinnett.

COLUMBUS-Madison Duffel was 4-for-4 with two RBIs and three runs scored while Jada Savage tossed a three hitter Wednesday as the East Coweta Lady Indians defeated the North Gwinnett Bulldogs 8-0 in a 7A Elite Eight Tournament game,
The game played at South Commons Softball Complex was called with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning improved the Lady Indians' record to 30-3 while the Lady Bulldogs fell to 29-5.

The Lady Indians took the lead in the bottom of the second inning as Maggie Stubbs reached on a walk and advanced to second base on a sacrifice before Kate Miller reached on a bunt single and Duffel followed with a double to left.

Payton Roberson gave EC a 3-0 lead when she lined a single to center field that scored Duffel.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Lady Indians added to the lead after two outs as they took advantage of defensive miscues by the Lady Bulldogs.

Duffel reached on a single, stole second and moved to third on a throwing error by the catcher and scored after an infield error allowed her to score and Roberson to reach first.
Roberson reached second on a wild pitch and came home with the fifth run of the game for EC as Addie Joiner dropped a single into left field.

Meanwhile, Savage was making the lead hold for EC as she experience aminor situation in the top of the second inning with two runners on base and one out.

However, the sophomore ended the threat as quick as it began as she induced a flyball to right fielder Lizzy Austin before a swinging strikeout ended the frame.

Jada Savage allowed three hits and recorded
seven strikeouts in six innings. She was
also 2-for-3 at the plate.

In the six-inning outing, Savage recorded seven strikeouts while getting solid defense including a double play that was turned in the top of the sixth inning.

The game came to an end in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Lady Indians took advantage of  more defensive lapses to score three runs.

Duffel recorded her fourth hit as she reached on an infield single and Roberson followed by reaching on an infield error.

Both advanced a base after a groundout and both scored as Mallory Lumpkins and Savage each recorded a runs scoring single.

Riley Ratzlaff reached on an infield error and Stubbs ended the contest when she lined a pitch into right center field for a single.

Stubbs and Savage each recorded a  2-for-3 performance in the game and each reached on a walk.

The Lady Indians will face the Brookwood Broncos in a second round game Thursday at 3:00 while the Lady Bulldogs will face the North Cobb Warriors in a 7:00 game.

Brookwood (24-5-1) advanced after a 2-1 win over North Cobb (29-2) in a first round game that took eight innings.

 

   

Savage pitches and hits EC to the "ship

Photos by Paula Stubbs

Jada Savage shows her excitement after
her first inning RBI double.  

SHARPSBURG-Monday night, Jada Savage pitched a no hitter with 18 strikeouts and allowing three baserunners as the East Coweta Lady Indians defeated the Parkview Lady Panthers 5-0.

The sophomore hurler took things a step further Tuesday with a perfect day at the plate and in the pitching circle with a 10-0 five inning win over the Lady Panthers in the final game of the 7A Super Regional softball tournament.

The win improved the EC record to 29-3 as they advanced to the 7A Elite Eight next week in Columbus for the 18th time in 19 years while Parkview finished their season at 16-12.

Savage opened the game with three strikeouts and in the bottom of the first inning gave the Lady Indians the only run needed when her double to left field scored Sophia Santiago.

The second inning was scoreless, but the Lady Indians added to the lead in the bottom of the third inning as Savage drilled a 3-0 offering over the left field fence to give her team a 4-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Lady Indians sent 12 batters to the plate with six runners scoring to put the game away.

Gaby Gopie prepares to make contact
in the game. Gopie had two hits.

With one out, Gaby Gopie scored on a line drive single to left by Madison Duffel and after Payton Roberson reached on a walk, Addie Joiner drilled a fly ball to left field for a two-run double.

Mallory Lumpkins followed with a two-run double of her own to give EC a 9-0 cushion and scored the final run of the game when Maggie Stubbs hit an opposite field single to left.

Meanwhile, Savage was like a surgeon as she carved through the Parkview lineup by retiring the first nine batters via the strikeout route with seven swinging strikeouts.

The streak ended in the top of the fourth inning as Gopie caught a line drive at first base and after a called third strike, Gopie made a putout that ended the frame.

In the top of the fifth inning, Savage recorded a pair of strikeouts while a flyball to Kate Miller in center field was sandwiched in between.

Savage finished with 12 strikeouts in the game.

On the offensive front for EC, Roberson reached base three times as did Joyner while Stubbs and Gopie reached twice each.

TOURNAMENT NOTES: The Lady Indians will open play in the 7A Elite Eight tournament next Wednesday against the North Gwinnett Lady Bulldogs.

North Gwinnett defeated Mountain View 9-1 in the elimination game.

The Lady Indians defeated the Lady Bulldogs in 2020 to win the title while the latter won in 2021.

The Northgate Lady Vikings won three games Tuesday to advance to their second straight 5A Elite Eight tournament.

Northgate (19-11) defeated Union Grove 14-7 and swept Greenbrier 6-5 and 5-3.

They will meet Eastside in the opening round next Wednesday.

The Newnan Lady Cougars will play Shiloh at home in an 11:00 6A tournament game on Wednesday while Trinity Christian (coached by former EC standout Katey Lynch Rutherford)will face Bainbridge in a 4A contest at West Laurens.

Savage dominates Parkview as EC advances to regional final

Photos by Paula Stubbs

Jada Savage prepares to deliver a pitch during her
no-hit,18 strikeout performance.

SHARPSBURG-The Parkview Lady Panthers were no match for Jada Savage Monday night as the East Coweta Lady Indians advanced to the final of the 7A Super Regional after a pair of wins.

Savage held the Lady Panthers hitless and recorded 18 strikeouts as the Lady Indians were 5-0 victors in the winners bracket game.

Combined with a 13-0 win over McEachern in the first round, EC improved to 28-3 on the season as they await the winner of an elimination game matchup between Parkview and Colquitt that will be played Tuesday at 2:00.

The game started as a scoreless battle as Savage was locked in a duel with Parkview ace Olivia Kotowski retired batters in dominating fashion.

However, Kotowski began to fade in the bottom of the fifth inning as the Lady Indians broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth.

Gopie led off by reaching on a single and advanced to second on a single by Miller before scoring on a double by Duffel.

Roberson followed with a two-run double and eventually the fourth and final run of the frame on a two-out single by Ratzlaff.

Ratzlaff was 2-for-3 at the plate in the game.

The Lady Indians added their final run in the bottom of the sixth inning as Stubbs led off with a walk and eventually scored on a two out double by Duffel.

Payton Roberson reached base seven
times in wins over McEachern and Parkview.

Roberson was 2-for 2 at the plate with two walks while Duffel was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.  

In the opening game, McEachern scored a single run in the top of the first inning but EC came back in the bottom of the frame with five runs to take a lead they never surrendered.
Madison Duffel walked and after three straight singles and a sacrifice fly by Savage the Lady Indians had a 2-0 lead.
Riley Ratzlaff followed with an RBI single and Gaby Gopie closed out the scoring in the frame with a two-out, two-run single.
In the bottom of the second inning, EC added to the lead as singles by Duffel, Payton Roberson, Addie Joiner and Mallory Lumpkins led to a run and another sacrifice fly by Savage accounted for another.

An RBI single by Maggie Stubbs, a sacrifice fly by Gopie and an RBI single by Kate Miller gave the Lady Indians a 10-0 cushion.

The Lady Indians added to the lead in the bottom of the third inning

Riley Ratzlaff drilled a two-run home run
in the win over McEachern.

as Savage had an RBI groundout and Ratzlaff followed with a two-run home run.

Stubbs was the benefactor of the run support as she allowed four hits and recorded three strikeouts in three innings before Camryn Horton took over in the fourth and recorded a pair of strikeouts.

Three seemed to be the number in the game as Roberson was 3-for-3 with three runs scored while Savage, Ratzlaff and Gopie each had three RBIs. 

TOURNAMENT NOTES: In games involving other Region 2-AAAAAAA, Carrollton's season ended at Lowndes after being defeated by Hillgrove 4-0 and 8-7 by Archer.

Westlake was defeated by North Paulding 13-0 while Campbell dropped an 8-5 contest to Harrison at Brookwood.   

Lady Indians' bats support Savage no-hitter as EC wins region title again

Photos by Paula Stubbs

Addie Joiner catches a popfly in the top of the fifth inning that ended
the Lady Indians' 8-0 win over the Carrollton Lady Indians.

SHARPSBURG-The East Coweta Lady Indians had their hitting shoes on Tuesday night as several players had two hits while Jada Savage faced one batter over the minimum in a 8-0 win over the Carrollton Trojans to claim the Region 2-7A tournament title.

The tournament win was the 14th consecutive for the Lady Indians who improved to 26-3 on the season and will face McEachern on Monday at noon and will face the winner of the game between Colquitt County or Parkview in a state regional tournament.

Carrollton, who fell to 17-13, will travel to Lowndes as part of that regional tournament and will open against Hillgrove.

The East Coweta Lady Indians pose with the
trophy after defeating Carrollton 8-0 in the final
of the Region 2-AAAAAAA Tournament.

The Lady Indians took the lead in the bottom of the first inning as Madison Duffel and Payton Roberson reached on consecutive singles and scored on a two out double to right center field by Mallory Lumpkins.
Lumpkins scored on a single by Savage and Riley Ratzlaff followed with a single that scored courtesy runner Maggie Stubbs.

The Lady Indians received a power surge in the bottom of the third

Madisyn Weathers gets congratulated by
EC head coach Franklin Deloach after hitting her
13th home run of the season in the bottom
of the third inning\

inning to take  a 7-0 lead as Madisyn Weathers recorded her 13th home run of the season when hit a two run shot over the left field fence and Lumpkins followed with a solo home run.

Lumpkins was 2-for-3 at the plate and in two tournament games was 3-for-4 with two home runs and six RBIs.

The final run of the game came in the bottom of the fifth inning when Roberson recorded her second hit of the contest with a single to right field and moving around the bases before coming home on a wild pitch.

The run was the second of the game for Roberson who 3-for-4 in two tournament games with a home run, five runs scored and three RBIs.

Meanwhile, Savage continued to own the Lady Trojans with eight strikeouts and two assists to go along with two singles and an RBI.

In two games this season against Carrollton, Savage has allowed one hit and two walks while recording 21 strikeouts.

Savage retired the Lady Trojans in quick fashion in the top of the fifth inning with a pair of strikeouts and inducing an infield pop to first to end the game.

STATE REGIONAL COMING UP: The state regional tournament will begin Monday with the following schedule:

Monday, October 16 

Game 1   12:00 East Coweta (26-3) v McEachern (9-12, 4th seed from Region 3)  

Game 2   2:00   Parkview (14-10, 3rd seed from Region 4) v Colquitt County (20-10, 2nd seed from Region 1)

Game 3   4:00   Loser of Game 1 v Loser of game 2

Game 4   6:00   Winner of game 1 v Winner of game 2

Tuesday, October 17 Game times

Game 5   2:00   Winner of game 3 v Loser of game 4

Game 6   4:00   Winner of game 4 v Winner of game 5

Game 6   6:00   If necessary game

Winner of the Sharpsburg regional will advance to the Elite Eight in Columbus and will open against the winner of the regional at North Gwinnett.

Participating in that regional are the host Bulldogs along with Mountain View, Walton and either South Forsyth or West Forsyth who will meet to determine the Region 6 final spot. 

 

Pair of blowouts allow EC to advance to tourney final

Photos by Paula Stubbs 

Mallory Lumpkins gets a welcoming committee after her two-run
home run in the bottom of the second inning against Campbell.

SHARPSBURG-The East Coweta Lady Indians scored in every inning Monday as they swept the Westlake Lions and Campbell Spartans to advance to the final of the Region 2-AAAAAAA Softball Tournament.

In game one, Madison Duffel, Maggie Stubbs, Addie Joiner and Addy Howell each had two hits and combined to score six runs and record five RBIs in a 12-0 win over the Lady Lions while the Lady Indians scored 16 runs in the second inning in a 20-2 win over the Lady Spartans.

The two wins improved the Lady Indians record to 25-3 as they await the winner of the matchup between Campbell and Carrollton that will be played at 4:00 on Tuesday.

The final game is scheduled for 6:00 with another game to follow should it become necessary.

All games can be heard online at streamcity.org .   

In the Westlake game, EC took the lead in the bottom of the first inning as Madison Duffel singled and scored on a triple to right field by Stubbs who came home on a single to left by Joiner.

The Lady Indians added to the lead in the bottom of the second inning as Howell doubled and McKenna Holmes reached on a single before an infield error allowed Howell to score.

Payton Roberson had a triple and a two-run
home run in the win over Campbell.

Singles by Jenna Helmly and Duffel brought Helmly home and an infield error allowed Helmly to score the final run of the inning.

In the bottom of the third inning, Rylee Gordy led off with a single, stole second and advanced to third on a groundout before coming home when Howell had an inside the park home run.

The Lady Indians added three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning as the result of an RBI single by Joiner, an infield error and a sacrifice fly by Gordy.

Camryn Horton pitched three innings of the game allowing one hit while retiring eight of the 10 batters she faced via the strikeout.

Stubbs took over in the fourth and retired all six batters she faced with three strikeouts.

The Campbell game began in an inauspicious manner as the Lady Spartans scored twice in the top of the first but the Lady Indians came back in the bottom half to take the lead.

With one out, Payton Roberson lined a triple to right center field and after a pair of walks came home on a sacrifice fly by Mallory Lumpkins.

Jada Savage was intentionally walked and Riley Ratzlaff reached on a walk that scored Joiner and Gaby Gopie ended the scoring with a two-run double.

Gaby Gopie had three hits and four RBIs in
the win over Campbell/

The bottom of the second inning scoring barrage began with Duffel leading off by reaching on a walk and scoring when Roberson lined a pitch over the right center field fence for a two-run home run.

Joyner followed by reaching on a single and Madisyn Weathers reaching on an infield error that allowed courtesy runner Stubbs to score ahead of a two-run home run by Lumpkins.

Savage and Ratzlaff reached on walks and Gopie followed with a run scoring double.

With one out, Duffel and Roberson began the second run through the order in the frame by getting hit by pitches that forced home a run while a walk to Joyner forced home another run.

Weathers was hit by a pitch and Lumpkins followed by reaching on a walk that scored another run.

For the third time in the game, Savage reached on a walk that scored another run while RBI hits by Gopie, Kate Miller and Duffel concluded the 16-run frame.

Gopie was 3-for-3 with four RBIs in the game while Lumpkins had five RBIs and several girls scored three runs.

Savage pitched the first two innings and was relieved by Stubbs in the top of the third inning.

Roberson helps key offensive explosion in Lady Indians victory

Photos by Paula Stubbs

Payton Roberson gets a welcoming committee at home plate after her two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. Roberson had three hits in the game. 

SHARPSBURG-Payton Roberson proved to be a nemesis for the Pike County Lady Pirates Thursday night with a three hit, three RBI performance as the East Coweta Lady Indians came away with a 15-0 victory.

The three inning victory improved the Lady Indians' overall record to 23-3 as they prepare for the Region 2-AAAAAAA Tournament next Monday.

The Lady Pirates threatened to take the early lead in the game as they had the the bases loaded with one out in the top of the first inning, but pitcher Maggie Stubbs stifled the rally by recording back-to-back strikeouts.

The Roberson hitting binge started in the first inning after Madison Duffel reached on a double when the former drilled a 2-2 offering over the right field fence for a two-run home run.

After Stubbs tossed a scoreless top of the second inning, the Lady Indians gave her more run support in the bottom of the frame as 17 batters went to the plate and scored 12 runs.

Jada Savage started the barrage when she lined a flyball over the right field fence for a solo home run that went almost 300 feet before landing.

Riley Ratzlaff followed with a single and an infield error allowed her to reach third and Gaby Gopie to reach base before Kate Miller had a run scoring bunt single.

Madison Duffel had two hits and
scored twice in the game.

Roberson struck again as her one out single scored Gopie and Addie Joiner followed with a line drive double down the third base line that scored Miller and Roberson.

Madisyn Weathers followed with a single that scored Lizzy Austin and was able to advance to third on the throw home.

Weathers scored on a single by Mallory Lumpkins and after a walk to Savage, Ratzlaff and Gopie had back-to-back run scoring singles to increase the lead to 11-0.

A sacrifice bunt by Miller accounted for the next run while a Duffel double and a single by Joiner accounted for the final runs of the inning.

The game ended in the bottom of the third inning as Jenna Helmly, Savage and Rylee Gordy reached on singles while Gopie reached on an infield error to bring the 15th run of the game plateward.

On the pitching end, Stubbs settled down after the first inning jam to record a three-hitter with four of the nine outs via the strikeout route.

The shutout was the 14th of the season for the Lady Indians.

TOURNAMENT TIME: The Region 2-AAAAAAA Tournament will begin Monday with EC facing Westlake at noon and Carrollton facing Campbell at 2:00 in the first round.

The second round will follow with the losers bracket at 4:00 and the winners bracket game will be played at 6:00.

The final rounds will be played Tuesday with the third place game scheduled for 4:00 and the final at 6:00 with an if necessary scheduled for 8:00.

 

15 hit barrage leads ECJV to victory in season finale

Photos by Paula Stubbs

Hailee Vance takes a throw from third baseman Addy Howell
 in the top of the second inning to record a putout.

SHARPSBURG-The junior varsity season ended in style for the East Coweta Lady Indians Thursday as they defeated the Pike County Lady Pirates 12-5.

The Lady Indians finished the season with a record of 19-1-1.

The Lady Indians took the lead in the bottom of the first inning as Payton Wilson and Hayden Chaffin led off with back-to-back singles with both coming home on a double by Sophia Vaccariello.
Callie Flury followed with a single and both eventually came home on singles by Addy Howell and Izzy Kelleher with Howell coming home on a throwing error.
The Lady Indians added a run in the bottom of the second inning as Wilson reached on a one out single, sole second and eventually scored on a single by Vaccariello.
In the bottom of the third inning, EC took a 7-0 lead when  Howell reached on a single and eventually scored on a groundout by Kelleher.

Izzy Kelleher gets ready to make contact
in Thursday's game. Kelleher was 2-for-3
the plate with four RBIs.

Howell was 2-for-4 in the game with an RBI and two runs scored.
The Lady Pirates got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning with a single run and cut the margin to 7-3 after scoring twice in the top of the fifth inning.
The Lady Indians answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame as Vaccariello led off with a single and after two outs, Maddie Lindon, Keyleigh Gardner and Kelleher followed with singles and the lead was 10-3.

Vaccariello and Wilson each had three hits with both scoring twice with Vaccariello accounting for three RBIs while Kelleher was 2-for-3 at the plate with four RBIs in the game.

Pike County scored a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning to cut the margin to 10-5, but EC responded in the bottom of the frame with a pair of their own.
Sydney Stubbs and Wilson opened the frame by reaching on singles and after two outs, the duo came home on an infield error.
Lady Indians pitcher McKenna Holmes retired the side in order to end the game.
While she didn't have any strikeouts, Holmes did provide solid defense in the circle as she recorded a pair of putouts and had five assists.

Seven run fifth inning keys ECJV to come from behind win

Photos by Paula Stubbs

Catherine Maxwell slides home safely in the top of the fifth
inning to give East Coweta JV a 5-3 lead that eventually became
an 8-3 victory. The win was the 18th of 2023.

The East Coweta Lady Indians sent 12 batters to the plate in the top of the fifth inning and scored seven runs Tuesday afternoon to key an 8-3 come from behind win over the Northgate Lady Vikings in a junior varsity contest.
The Lady Indians will close their regular season Thursday afternoon at home against the Pike County Lady Pirates.
Trailing 3-1 in the top of the frame, Keyleigh Gardner reached on an infield single and scored on a one out double to left field by Payton Wilson who scored the tying run on a single to left by McKenna Holmes who took second on the throw to the infield..

Payton Wilson appears satisfied after her
RBI double in the top of the fifth inning.

The Lady Indians took a 4-3 lead when Sophia Vaccariello lined a single to left center field that brought Holmes plateward.
Vaccariello, who took second on the throw, was pinch run for by Catherine Maxwell who came home on a single by Gaby Gopie who managed to take second on the throw and move to third on a wild pitch.
Callie Flury followed with a two out single to center field that scored Gopie and the EC lead was 6-3 
Maddie Lindon singled to center field and both runners advanced on a wild pitch before singles by Avery Batten and Gardner scored the duo.

Camryn Horton took care of the Lady Vikings in the bottom of the inning with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout.

Several players had 2-for-3 results at the plate with several recording a run or an RBI.

Horton allowed six hits and recorded five strikeouts for the Lady Indians who are now 18-1-1.

Sophia Vaccariello looks in from her third
base position. Vaccariello was 2-for-3 at the
plate with an RBI and run scored.

The Lady Indians took the lead in the bottom of the first inning as Vaccariello reached on a two out double and scored on a single by Hayden Chaffin.

The Lady Vikings tied the game in the bottom of the second inning when Anslee Peters reached on a single to center fioeld and eventually scored on the front end of a double steal.

Northgate took the lead in the bottom of the third inning as Makenzie Khaler led off with a single and eventually scored on a two out single by pitcher Kylie Pack.

The Lady Vikings took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third inning as Peters reached on a leadoff single and eventually came home when Addy Clark hit a sacrifice fly to left field.