TUNNEL HILL, Ga. - BriLeigh Baggett pitched two strong games Wednesday to lead Northwest Whitfield to a Class AAAA sweep of a first-round softball playoff series of LaGrange, 1-0 and 5-2.
The Lady Bruins (30-6) scored a single run in the fourth inning of game one when Allysa Ward walked, stole second and scored on Colbie Thomas' single. Baggett pitched 6 1/3 no-hit innings before LaGrange (20-10) had a pair of one-out singles in the seventh. Baggett, though, retired the next two batters to seal the win.
Northwest, limited to five hits in game one by Georgia Tech recruit Emily Anderson, broke through in game two with a pair of runs in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Hannah Godfrey and Bayli Cruse's run-scoring double. Ahead 2-1 in the sixth, Ashley Conner added a two-run single, more than enough for Baggett, who worked through another late LaGrange rally attempt.
"BriLeigh really stepped up and now's the time to do it," Northwest coach Jason Brooker said. "She's thrown well all year, and tonight she finished both games. Getting out of that seventh inning hopefully will boost her confidence."
Northwest awaits the winner of the Lumpkin County at Marist series, which will have a deciding game three today.
• Also in Class AAAA, Ridgeland split at Columbus, losing game one, 7-0, before forcing a deciding game three today at 3:30 with an 8-3 win. Shelby Epperson, Ally Johnson and Emma Arthur had two hits each, with Johnson and Arthur driving in a pair of runs apiece in game two. The Lady Panthers (17-15), were held to two hits in game one but pounded out 10 in game two in support of pitcher Allison Wallin.
• In Class AAA, North Murray rallied for eight runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to shock Banks County in game one, 9-8, then cruised to a 12-2 win to continue its surprising postseason run.
• In Class AA, second-ranked Calhoun breezed past Temple, winning 15-0 in three innings in game one and 17-2 in four innings in game two. The Lady Yellow Jackets (27-6) had 28 hits in the seven innings of play, led by Ryan Brzozoski's six hits and five RBIs.
Taylor Kelly had three hits and four RBIs in game one, while Jana Johns had a homer and drove in five in game two. Calhoun will host the winner of the Lovett-Union County series, which has a deciding game three today.
Also in AA, Bremen swept Chattooga, 6-1 and 1-0.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.