Another goal on the check list has been crossed off for the Apalachee High School softball team.
With a doubleheader sweep of Winder-Barrow High School Friday, the Lady Wildcats have assured themselves a spot in the upcoming Class AAAAA state tournament. AHS took wins of 10-6 and 10-3 to advance to the semifinals of the region tournament while the losses ended the season for the Lady Bulldoggs.
The opening round of state is set for Oct. 10. Seedings will be determined based on how the remainder of the region tourament plays out.
“Those two games with Winder-Barrow were tough,” said AHS coach Mike Cavey. “Our girls have worked hard and played hard. We haven’t made it to state the last two years so we are eager to see what we can do once we finish taking care of business in the region tournament.”
Loganville, Salem, Heritage and AHS were the remaining teams in the region tournament going into this week. Salem was set to battle Heritage in the other semifinal matchup.
The Lady Wildcats continue to play well of late. Cavey said Jordan Allen remains “on fire” at the plate and the contributions of Ashley Walraven, who connected on a grand slam in the opening quarterfinal game with WBHS, remain strong.
Pitcher Becca Meade worked all 14 innings Friday against WBHS. Meade threw a five-hitter in the second contest while Allen had five RBI and Walraven drove in four runs to complete the sweep.
Both coaches said prior to the matchup they disliked having to compete against each other since one team’s season would end.
Since returning to the lineup, Meade has helped provided a pitching punch for the Lady Cats. Cavey likes having the combination of Meade and Walraven available for pitching duties.
The coach said with Walraven being in the field, it helps the team defensively.
For WBHS, Erin Harbin worked the opener going four innings with a strikeout. Kylie Smith pitched the final two innings for the Lady Bulldoggs. Smith returned to the mound in the nightcap.
For AHS, Walraven went 4-for-5 with two doubles and four RBI with Allen finishing 3-for-5 with two doubles, a triple and five RBI. Kelsie Herbert contributed a 3-for-4 effort.
The Lady Bulldoggs received a 2-for-3 performance at the plate in the second contest from freshman MacKenzy McFarland. Bree Lynn had a double and an RBI while Kirsten White drove in a run.
Ashley Waits and Carlee Thurmond both had solo homers for Monty McClure’s team in the opener while Thurmond had a double and scored three runs. Harbin finished the game with two hits.
The first game was delayed by more than an hour while the teams awaited the arrival of one of the umpires.
