The Jackson County softball team must shake off a late-season upset as playoff time nears.
The Panthers were tripped up by rival East Jackson 1-0 Tuesday afternoon in Commerce with two games remaining in the subregion slate.
The Region 8-AA tournament starts Oct. 4. Jackson County has a big rematch left with Jefferson today (Wednesday) and closes the regular season Thursday against region-leading North Oconee.
But first, the Panthers must get past Tuesday’s loss.
“We just didn’t hit the ball … They (East Jackson) showed up,” Robinson said. “They deserved to win.”
Offensive leaders were Brooke Griggs, who went 2-for-3 with a double, and Macey Latty, who was 1-for-2.
Prior to the loss to East Jackson, the Panthers beat Oglethorpe County soundly Saturday after gutting out a close win in the first meeting back on Sept. 14.
Needing extra innings and a game-winning score off an error to beat Oglethorpe County the first time, Jackson County required no such drama the second time around, hammering the Patriots 12-4 in five innings.
Haley Shinall pitched a complete game, striking out five.
Offensive leaders were Victoria Fontana (2-for-4, RBI), Jessica Laird (1-for-2, sacrifice, RBI, three steals), Brooke Griggs (1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBIs, sacrifice), Shinall (1-for-3, steal), Andrea Ledford (1-for-1, sacrifice), Mason Garland (2-for-3, steal, RBI), Ashleigh Lance (2-for-3, 3 steals, RBI), Macey Latty (two RBIs) and Kortnee Satterfield (two RBIs).
Jackson County’s defensive highlights were Ledford, Garland and Lance combining for a double play.
JUNIOR VARSITY NOTES: Jackson County beat Oglethorpe County 5-1 behind a big double from Kaley Tanner, who went 2-4 at the plate. Haley Davis and Jordan Evans both went 1-for-3.
Peyton Sorrells pitched four innings, striking out four.
Jessica Baker worked the final three innings and struck out two. Jackson County committed just two errors.
Jackson County beat Commerce 14-2 a day earlier behind offensive performances from Kaity Hayes (homerun, RBI), Whitney Kendrix (2-for-3, four RBIs) and Petyon Sorrells (3-for-3, two steals). Sorrells had four strikeouts in four innings, and Jessica Baker had two strikeouts in two innings.
