Lady Panthers softball advances to second round of state

BLAIRSVILLE, GA – With a sweep of visiting Therrell on Tuesday, Oct. 8, the Union County softball squad punched a ticket to the second round of the Class AA state playoffs.

The Lady Panthers (15-13) will now face Region 2-AA champion Vidalia (26-5) with a trip to the state quarterfinals on the line.

Union County will have a challenge as Vidalia has advanced past the second round of the state playoffs three times in the past four seasons.

The Lady Indians dominated visiting Westside in the first round by scores of 11-0 and 20-0 to earn their fifth-straight trip to the second round.

Union County also dominated in the first round. The Lady Panthers earned wins in both games of a first-round doubleheader with Therrell (13-6) by scores of 22-0 and 17-0.

In the first game with Therrell, Union County’s Trinity Queen threw a gem from the circle.

Queen faced just nine batters during the three-inning, mercy-rule win. She struck out six of those to earn the victory.

In game two, Union County put seven runs on the board in the first inning and never looked back, adding one in the second, six in the third, and three in the fourth to earn the four-inning, mercy-rule victory.

Union County will visit Vidalia for a chance to advance to the quarterfinals. Vidalia is located in south-central Georgia, about 90 miles west of Savannah; more than four hours travel time from Blairsville.

First pitch for the doubleheader between the Lady Panthers and Lady Indians is set for 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 15.