Ringgold sweeps Rockmart in state playoff series

photo Ringgold's Abby McKinney (7) scores on Rockmart during the GHSA Class AAA first-round playoff series at the Tiger's home field on Friday.

RINGGOLD, Ga. - Ringgold dug its usual early hole in Friday's twice-delayed Georgia Class AAA softball first-round series against Rockmart, but, as usual, the Lady Tigers found a way to climb out.

After trailing 3-1 in game one, Ringgold pounded out 16 hits to roll to an 11-3 five-inning win before scoring the first nine runs in a 9-3 victory that clinched the series. The Lady Tigers will travel to Jackson County for a second-round doubleheader next Wednesday.

"We played really bad against Calhoun in the region tournament championship, and I was worried about a hangover today," Ringgold coach Shane Pendley said. "So I'm very proud of the girls for bouncing back like that. We swung the bats well, and after falling behind early we got it going in the first game and that really took the pressure off our pitching."

Ringgold (28-6) sent 11 batters to the plate in the third inning of the opening game, scoring six times on RBI hits from Kiwi Dale and Kayla Woody and a pair of Rockmart errors. The Lady Tigers added three more in the fourth as the bottom of the order -- Dale, Woody and Hannah Crossland -- all had hits. They combined to go 7-for-9 in the game.

Abby McKinney, after a sluggish start with her control, settled down to get the win, allowing five hits and striking out seven. Game two starter Katie Cain retired the first eight Rockmart batters, and by the time she gave up her first hit she had a 3-0 lead thanks to RBI singles from Dare Schley and Reagan Benedict and an unearned run in the second.

Ringgold batted around in the fourth to put the game in hand as Kaylee Womack knocked in two with a single and McKinney followed with a two-run homer. Schley had three hits, giving her six for the day, with McKinney and Woody adding two each. Cain finished with a five-hitter and struck out five.

Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.

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