Lady Panthers begin state playoff action

Morgan County got their lone run on the board in the first inning, but a tight Lady Panther defense contained Morgan County for the next five innings, including a double play by Erica Parker.

At the plate, Ashleigh Lance, Jessika Laird, Haley Shinall, Brooke Griggs and Macey Latty contributed, moving runners into scoring position as well as scoring.

Freshman Madison Whitmire hit a grand slam - out of the park - homerun in the sixth inning to end the game in a run rule 9-1 final.

Haley Shinall picked up the win from the mound.

Next up was a trip back to Oconee County to face the Lady Warriors on Wednesday in the second round of region play.

The game resulted in Jackson County’s first post-season loss, as they fell to Oconee County 10-0.

Individual statistics were unavailable at press time.

The Lady Panthers next faced Stephens County with a chance to advance to district play.

Haley Shinall’s pitching and a tough Lady Panther defense worked together to give Jackson County the 4-1 victory.

Brooke Griggs, Jessika Laird and Erica Parker turned in notable defensive efforts, while Haley Shinall, Jessika Laird, Brooke Griggs, Madison Whitmire, Macey Latty and Victoria Fontana attacked from the plate. Ashleigh Lance, Erica Parker and Beth Bates came up with RBIs to hold Jackson County to the win.

For more on this story, see Wednesday's edition of The Jackson Herald or The Braselton News.