Lady Panther softball splits two sub-region games
By TODD FORREST Sentinel Writer
Union County drops a 2-1 decision to East Jackson

April Harper allowed only three hits, struck out seven, and scored the only Union County run but the Lady Panther offense was able to scratch out only two hits in support of her. The two East Jackson runs were unearned. Their first run came off an error in the first inning and the second run scored as the result of a throwing error in the fifth inning.

"We had great pitching from Harper," said Coach Stewart. "We just had trouble catching up to the East Jackson pitcher."

Union County trailed 2-0 in the bottom of the fifth when Harper scored the only run that the Lady Panthers would get. With one out, Harper reached on an error and was doubled home by Amanda Mason. The Lady Panthers were unable to score Mason from third after an

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Mason's double wasn't the only scoring chance that was wasted. In the sixth inning, Kaley Sullivan came up with a clutch two out double and in the seventh inning, Whitney Kelley was hit by a pitch and Harper moved her into scoring position with a groundout but in both instances, Union County wasn't able to come up with a base-hit in the clutch.

The loss almost guarantees Union County the #2 seed in next month's region tournament.

"Being the #2 seed from the north just means that we will be playing the #3 seed instead of the #4. Each game is taken one at a time so I believe we can beat either one of those teams from the other sub-region. More than likely we'll be playing Oglethorpe instead of Washington-Wilkes," said Coach Stewart. When asked about the strength of 8AA softball she said, "I think 8AA has the toughest region in AA, with North Oconee, Morgan County, Union, and East Jackson. 6AA with GAC and Buford is very strong as well."

Union completes sweep of Dawson County with a 4-1 win on Tuesday

Just four days after being crowned Homecoming Queen, Kaley Sullivan hit her first career "over the fence" homerun to spark Union County (16- 8 / 4-2) to a four run sixth inning. April Harper also picked up her 12th win of the season, striking out thirteen and scattering five hits over seven innings of work.

The Lady Panthers were unable to manufacture any runs during the first five innings despite seven hitters reaching base, four of which made it into scoring position. Union's luck would change when Sullivan stepped to the plate to lead off the top of the sixth. Sullivan homered to centerfield, then Whitney Kelley, Harper, and Kaitlyn Seabolt all reached base and scored following Sullivan's homer.

Union County will host Rabun County on Thursday, travel to Banks County for a makeup game on Monday, then turn around and host Banks on Tuesday. The game Tuesday will be Senior Night for the Union County Lady Panthers Softball Team. All three games will begin an hour earlier at 5:00 p.m.

Softball Team Leaders:

Thru Wednesday, Sept. 26th)

Batting Avg: Whitney Kelley .438

Hits: Kaley Sullivan 29

Runs: Brittany Massey- Lentz 20

Doubles: Kayla Gowder 8

Triples: Kayla Gowder 4

Homeruns: Gowder & Sullivan 2

RBI: Kayla Gowder 21 Pitching Wins: April Harper 12