Two early second-half goals pushed the Trinity Lady Crusaders over the top in a low-scoring GIAA quarterfinal soccer match with Gatewood Thursday. Their 2-0 win clinches a spot in the state semifinals for the third-straight year, and an expected rematch of last year's state championship game.
In a match that was 'gritty, but not pretty' the West Laurens boys clawed their way back from single-goal deficits in the second half and in overtime to defeat Spalding 5-4 on penalty kicks, and clinch the region 2-AAAA championship.
West Laurens didn't have many hits, but used them to take advantage of 16 Baldwin walks in an 8-1 series-opening win at home Tuesday night.
After some early back-and-forth in either game, Jefferson County ran away with a lead to win both halves of region doubleheader concluding its series sweep of East Laurens.
Jefferson County edged Dublin by a run to win the teams' series opener 4-3 Tuesday night at Bush Perry Field.
West Laurens found itself on both sides of the run rule early this week as it stretched its streak to five in a home win over Metter Monday, before falling to a dominant Tift County on the road Tuesday.
In more than seven hours of baseball over a Friday doubleheader, the Dublin Irish took down region 2-High A co-leader Swainsboro – twice – to win the teams' three-game series, and grab a key foothold near the top of the region standings. (Photo by Clay Reynolds)
