Softball Roundup: Some teams already through the bulk of the non-region slate two weeks into season

Even though the softball season just started, some teams are already through the majority of their non-region schedule and are prepping for region opponents.

Here’s a roundup of last week’s softball:

Houston County

The Lady Bears (3-2) had a busy week last week as they split their four games on the schedule to finish up the early non-region slate.

It was loaded with softball powerhouses, too, as they faced Harris County, West Laurens and Ola in the span of four days.

The freshmen got a chance to pitch against the Lady Tigers; Piper Lambert and Allie Hutto threw four innings a piece in the extra innings loss. The offense went 4-for-29 at the plate as they fell 3-2.

The first away game of the season was a 9-1 loss to West Laurens where the offense again struggled, going 3-for-20. Hutto pitched 4.2 innings in that contest giving up 6 runs and only 1 earned run. Kamille Evans pitched in 0.2 innings to close out the game.

The final two games came at home on Saturday as HoCo brought Ola and Colquitt County to Highway 96 for 5-2 and 6-5 wins, respectively. The highlight of the pair was Piper Lambert’s 10-inning game with only 2 earned runs and 5 strikeouts.

The Lady Bears start off next week with a home game against Lee County on Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m.

Northside

The Lady Eagles (7-1) continued their hot start last week with a 3-1 record in the last seven days, including two shut outs.

The first was 15-0 against Howard at Dyson Field, with the Demonettes falling victim the next day in a 12-0 final to start the Crosstown Showdown series. Kadence Cooley struck out nine batters against Warner Robins through the four innings of play.

Their lone loss of the season so far came on Saturday against Liberty County 12-3, but they bounced back with a 9-1 win in the doubleheader as the offense lit up the plate going 11-for-25 and driving in 7 runs.

Northside will head up to Macon to take on Howard on Monday, Aug. 18 at 5 p.m. before taking on their first region opponent — Thomas County Central.

Perry

Perry (1-3) has hit a couple of bumps in the road to start the season, but they picked up their first win last week in a 17-8 final against Schley County on the road.

The Lady Panthers lit up the scoreboard going 16-for-35 (.457) at the plate driving in 14 runs.

Their defensive issues continued against Veterans, though, as they gave up double digit runs for the second time and more than eight for the third.

The three pitchers they put on the mound combined for 10 walks and 8 earned runs as the Lady Warhawks stole four bases on the way to a 13-6 final score.

Perry doesn’t start region play until September, but for now they’ll start a three-game road trip at Taylor County on Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 5:30 p.m.

Veterans

After their game against Mary Persons got rained out the Lady Warhawks (7-0) kept their undefeated start going with a hard fought win against Northside-Columbus and Perry.

They had to go to extra innings and overcome early errors to beat the Lady Patriots, but Mia Ward came in clutch with two timely hits and 4 RBI late.

Cadence Scott struck out five batters against Perry in their 13-6 win and only gave up 2 earned runs. They took advantage of 10 walks, too, stealing four bases on the day.

Veterans starts region play this week against Coffee at home on Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m.

Warner Robins

The Demonettes (4-5) have already eclipsed their win total from a year ago two weeks into the new season, and they picked up their third and fourth last week against Bradwell Institute.

Although they had a rough start to the week with 12-0 and 10-2 losses to Northside and Liberty County respectively, they bounced back with a couple of wins in a Saturday doubleheader.

The first was a 6-2 final featuring Leanne Butts going 4-for-4 at the plate, and the second an 8-6 score with Butts taking the mound for seven innings and striking out four batters.

Warner Robins also has a minute before they start region play, but they’ll continue the non-region schedule at home against Howard on Wednesday, Aug. 20 at 5 p.m.

Westfield

Westfield (6-1) got off to their best start since their 2022 undefeated season rattling off six straight, but that came to an end last week.

They started their four-game slate with a 9-0 beating of Stratford Academy. Lindy Hair struck out six batters and only gave up one hit on the day.

They followed that up with a 8-4 win over Emanuel County Institute, but their first loss came against Camden County in a 10-9 final. The Lady Wildcats batted 13-for-28 (.464) to put away the Lady Hornets.

Their final game of the week was a 5-0 win against Citizens Christian Academy. Camilla Bloodworth had 11 strikeouts in the contest.

The Lady Hornets will host John Milledge Academy on Monday, Aug. 18 at 5:30 p.m. before heading out on a four-game road trip.