ECJV softball splits in Heard County Invitational

Photos by Paula Stubbs

Avery Batten reached base five times
Saturday in two games including a
three-run home run.

FRANKLIN-The East Coweta Lady Indians survived the heat Saturday as they split two games  in the Heard County Junior Varsity Invitational.

Avery Batten hit a three-run home run to key an eight run third inning in an 8-4 win over the Harris County in the first game.

In game two, Heard County hit two grand slams in a 13-3 victory.

The record is currently 8-1-1 after the split as they prepare to host McIntosh at home on Monday with a 5:00 start.

In game one, Harris County took a 1-0 in the top of the first inning with an unearned run, but the lead was cut short in the bottom of the third inning.

Kinli Blair opened the frame with a single to left field and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Abby Wheeler.

Sydney Stubbs reached on a walk and Batten followed by drilling a 2-0 offering over the center field fence to give the Lady Indians a 3-1 lead.

The inning continued as Kylee Rozier and Catherine Maxwell reached on consecutive walks while Callie Flury was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

A walk to Kaelyn Bowen followed by a single from Bella Waddell scored two runs while a bases loaded walk to Ella Kate Deloach gave EC a 6-1 lead.

Hope Stubbs pitched four and one-third
innings in game one for the win.

Blair followed by reaching on a walk that scored a run and Sydney Stubbs was responsible for the final run when she had an RBI single.

Hope Stubbs was the benefactor of the run support as she sailed through the top of the fourth inning as she allowed an infield single in the frame.

After pitching effectively for four innings, she would run into trouble in the top of the fifth inning as The Lady Tigers scored three runs to cut the margin to 8-4.

She was replaced by Waddell who retired the final two batters on infield popups to record the save.

Hope Stubbs allowed seven hits and recorded four strikeouts in four and one-third innings to earn the win.

Batten was 2-for-3 at the plate while Sydney Stubbs and Blair would  reached base twice and score a run.

In the game against the Lady Braves, Batten reached base three times with a single and two walks while Rozier reached with two hits and a hit by pitch while scoring once and driving home a pair.

Martin lead four players in double figures to lead EC to win

Carby Martin led the East Coweta scoring attack with
23 points in the 73-65 win. Photo by Stuart Crosby

SHARPSBURG-Carby Martin scored 23 points to lead four players in double figures Thursday night as the East Coweta Indians to a 73-65 win over the Mundys Mill Tigers.

The win at the John Thrower Gymnasium improved the EC record to 2-0 as they travel to Fayetteville Friday night to face the Fayette County Tigers.

The win gave EC a split for the evening as a late second shot in the girls' game gave Mundy's Mill a 41-38 win.

The Lady Indians led 12-9 at the end of the first but were outscored 10-7 in the second to send the two teams to the locker room tied at 19-19. 

In the third period, the Lady Indians were outscored 11-9 and trailed 30-28 going into the final period.

The Lady Indians rallied in the beginning pf the fourth and had a 38-34 lead at one point before the Lady Tigers finished the game with a 9-3 finish.

Kierra Lugo led EC with 17 points and Ariana Simmons scored 14 for the Lady Indians who fell to 0-2 in the first week of the season. 

Qwez WIlliams prepares to shoot a free throw in
Thursday's game. Williams scored 13 points
and blocked several shots. Photo By Stuart Crosby

In the boys' game, the Tigers took an early 6-3 lead when the Indians came back with an 11-5 finish to the first period and took a 14-11 lead at the buzzer.

The Inidans added to the lead in the second period with a 15-7 session to take a 29-18 at halftime.

In the third period, the Indians maintained the lead with a 27-20 session and led 56-38 going into the final eight minutes.

The Tigers rallied in the fourth period with a 19-4 run to cut the Indians' lead to 60-57 but a 13-8 surge over the final minutes to seal the win. 

Qwez Williams followed Martin in the EC scoring with 13 points while Isaiah Simmons and Harper Rife each registered 11 points.

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.