Lady Canes Play in State Playoffs
The Jasper County High School Lady Hurricanes will play Vidalia today, Oct. 25 at 3 p.m. for the chance to face the winner of the Jeff Davis versus fellow region team Social Circle later today at 9 p.m. in an effort to earn the Georgia High School Association’s 2018 AA State Championship.
The Lady Canes beat Vidalia Thursday, and faced Social Circle Friday, falling to them. They were to play again Friday at 5:30 p.m.
The Lady Canes are one of eight AA teams seeking the 2018 state title in Columbus over the next three days. Two games today, one tomorrow, Oct. 26, and a final game on Saturday, Oct. 27 gets one of the eight to the championship title. Those eight teams include three Region 8 competitors the Lady Canes, Social Circle Lady Redskins, and Banks County Lady Leopards, which shows the strength of the competition in this region.
Defending champions Rockmart were knocked out by Banks, playing on the road, last week.
The Lady Canes first opponent, Vidalia, is the second seed from Region 2 with an overall record of 23-10 and region record of 12-2. Head Coach Chris Jenkins likes his squads’ chances against any competitor in the tournament.
“To give you an idea of how special this event is, there are players with College World Series rings that say Columbus is their favorite softball memory, so we’re all extremely excited to be heading back,” said Coach Jenkins referring to the Lady Canes’ trip to the Elite 8 last year where they were runner ups in the AA division.
“Having the best teams and best players in the state all at the same venue, with a coach from just about every major college and university in attendance, makes for an exciting three days. We’re going to enjoy it, but we’re all in agreement that this is a business trip. If we play like we’re capable of, in all aspects of the game, I like our chances against anybody.”
The Lady Canes earned their berth into the Elite 8 by virtue of defeating Pepperell High School 3-0 and 8-4 last week.
Against Pepperell, mound duties were split between Bailey Jenkins and Avery Barton. Bailey had a good series earning four strikeouts as pitcher, two hits, two quality at bats, and four runs batted in. Barton had six strikeouts, one hit and one walk. Mia Jenkins came up big against Pepperall with four runs batted in, two hits, and two quality at bats which included two homeruns for the day.
Madison Abbott had two RBI, Kenzie Abbott had one hit, Jasmine Stone had three hits, one walk, and three QAB, lacey Rutledge had two RBI and two QAB, and Ally Jones had one RBI and three QAB.
Go Lady Hurricanes!