Lady Bulldogs Into 2nd Round
The Toombs County High School Lady Bulldogs softball team advanced to the second round of the GHSA State Playoffs last week by sweeping the Lady Patriots of Oglethorpe County in a dominant best-of-three series on the road. The Lady Bulldogs secured their spot in the next round with a 7-0 shutout in Game 1 and a powerful 9-6 victory in Game 2, both played on Wednesday.
Game 1 The Lady Bulldogs started the series with a commanding 7-0 victory in Game 1, fueled by an outstanding performance from Natalie Quintero. Quintero was a force at the plate, smashing 2 home runs and driving in 3 runs. She put Toombs County on the board early in the bottom of the first inning with a solo home run to left field and added a 2-run shot in the fourth.
Pitcher Taylor Bland was lights out on the mound, holding the Lady Patriots scoreless and allowing only 3 hits over the course of the game.
The Lady Bulldogs steadily built their lead throughout the contest. They added 2 runs in the third inning on an Oglethorpe County error and a sacrifice fly by Taylor Bland. Three more runs in the fourth inning solidified the lead, coming courtesy of Quintero’s second home run and an RBI single from Bland.
The Toombs County offense finished with 10 hits. In addition to Quintero’s 2 hits, Cyleigh Ennis also collected 2 hits. Emerson Powell contributed to the offense by stealing 2 bases.
Game 2
The Lady Bulldogs maintained their offensive momentum in Game 2, defeating the Lady Patriots 9-6 behind a powerful performance from Mishi Smith. Smith matched her teammate’s effort from the first game, launching 2 home runs and driving in 3 runs to lead the Toombs County offense. Smith hit home runs in the second and third innings.
Toombs County opened the scoring in the top of the first inning on sacrifice flies, the first of which came from Natalie Quintero. The Lady Bulldogs extended their lead in the second inning with back-to-back home runs from Smith and Quintero.
Three more runs crossed the plate in the third inning, making the score 7-1, thanks to a sacrifice fly from Elly Haygood and Smith's second home run of the game, a 2-run blast to left field.
The Lady Patriots tried to make it a game as they picked up a run in the bottom of the sixth and then plated 4 more in the seventh, but TCHS held them off to get the win, 9-6.
Taylor Bland earned the win in the circle, allowing only 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 5 batters over 5 2/3 innings. Ava Martin appeared in relief to secure the win.
The Lady Bulldogs' offense was a consistent threat, again tallying 10 hits. The bottom of the lineup proved especially effective, as Mishi Smith, Elly Haygood, and Kylah Gay combined for 5 hits, 3 runs scored, and 4 runs batted in. Smith and Gay, who hit back-to-back, each collected 2 hits. Taylor Bland also stole 2 bases, and the defense turned 1 double play in the victory.
The Lady Bulldogs now advance to the Sweet 16 where they will meet up with rival Vidalia. They will play a best-of-3 series in Vidalia starting on Wednesday with a double header at 5:00 p.m. If necessary they will play a third game on Thursday at 6:00 p.m.
