Softball: Four subregion games, rematch with Jefferson remains for Panthers

The Region 8-AA rivals will play Sept. 29 at Jackson County at 5:55 p.m.

The reschedule date serves as the rematch between these nearby foes, who played a stirring extra-inning contest Sept. 9. Jackson County lost that game 5-4 in eight innings.

Jackson County has rescheduled senior night to coincide with the Jefferson game.


But there’s a bit of business to tend to before revisiting that rivalry.

Jackson County plays Oglethorpe County Saturday morning and then another rival, East Jackson, Tuesday on the eve of the Jefferson game. Jackson County closes the regular season with subregion-leading North Oconee Sept. 30 on the road.

Jackson County goes into this final subregion stretch after a 14-5 win over Elbert County Tuesday.

Coach Lisa Robinson called the victory “frustrating despite the score.”

All five of Elbert County’s scores were unearned, including three runs during a four-error first inning.

“Therefore, (the score) should have not only been 14-0 but we also are still in the rut of hurting ourselves,” Robinson said.

The coach said Jackson County’s time frame for improvement is growing shorter.

“We’ve got a week to get it together before the region tournament,” Robinson said. “Our offense has picked up and now defense is struggling.”

Before beating Elbert County, Jackson County won three of five in a weekend tournament at North Hall with lopsided wins over Forsyth Central (13-1 and 8-0) and a victory over the host Trojans (5-0). The Panthers lost one-run affairs to White County (5-4) and Mt. Pisgah (7-6).

Though the Panthers finished above .500 at North Hall, recurrent themes plagued Jackson County – mainly defensive miscues leading to runs.

“Jackson County is getting beat by Jackson County when we lose,” Robinson said. “It’s comforting to know that these teams aren’t better than us, but it’s also infuriating to know that we’ve given up three and four unearned runs to them and beat ourselves.”

Robinson said her team was more focused during its victory over North Hall and second victory over Forsyth Central, which earned them a second-place showing in the Silver bracket.

Victoria Fontana had the hot bat for the tournament, going 7-for-7 during Friday’s games and finishing 9-for-14 for the weekend.

Other offensive leaders were Jessica Laird, Brooke Griggs, Madison Whitmire, Haley Shinall and Andrea Ledford. Mason Garland, Griggs, Fontana and Laird all had notable defensive plays.

“The girls all collectively hit the ball very well,” Robinson said.

Jackson County also enjoyed strong mound performances.
“Haley Shinall pitched very well and so did freshman Kortnee Satterfield,” Robinson said.

NOTES: Jackson County’s junior varsity picked up a 4-0 win Tuesday. “The JV played very well as a team, they played great defense,” Robinson said.

Kortnee Satterfield picked up the win on the mound. Jordan Evans, Savannah Jones, Kaley Tanner, Haley Davis, Whitney Kendrix and Erica Dalton all had notable defensive plays, according to the coach.