By Joe Joe Wright

For the first time in their history, the Crisp County lady Cougars softball team has reached the elite 8. With their 13-1 and 2-1 wins on Wednesday in Atlanta against Westminster, the ladies pole vaulted into the championship brackets against East Jackson next Thursday in Columbus. Led by just three seniors Ansley Mitchell, Sydney Peavy and Alexis Meadows the girls have fought their way into Crisp County Cougar history. Crisp County the #3 seed from region 1 have beaten a #2 seed and a #1 seed and now will face off against another #1 in this journey through the state brackets.

Coach Ben Robbins has been just over come by his girls play and had this to say.”Our season hasn’t been what one might call pretty. What you can call it is not over. The girls have matured this year. Our offense top to bottom has become more disciplined and confident at the plate. Our defense has played clean throughout the first two rounds behind Rilee’s pitching and Rilee has stepped up as a freshman and helped give us the opportunity to be in games. I think what is most important is the girls are finally coming together and truly bonding as a team, nothing better! The opportunity for us to compete in the Elite 8 will help our program continue to grow in the right direction. Being a number 3 seed and going into the playoffs   and now heading to Columbus next week is a huge life lesson in perseverance. Our girls have worked extremely hard and even though they didn’t make a lot of noise during the season they did continue to work hard, stay focused and look where they are headed now. I couldn’t be any prouder.”

Game one action saw Rilee Duckworth go 5innings with 4 k’s, 1 walk, and 3 hits. On offense Alexis Meadows was 2 for 4, Riley Blampied was 2 for 3 with a homerun and a walk and Jordan Dickerson was 2 for 3 with a double. In game two Duckworth went 7 innings scattered 6 hits struck out 3 and walked 1. On offense Alexis Meadows  and Ansley Mitchell was 2 for3. Hunter Meadows, Ivy Lewis, Sydney Peavy and Mia Murray all gathered a hit. Crisp County is proud of you ladies!!!!