The Times Journal Post

Their young 2026 team wasn’t one many would have picked to win it all. But the Raiders, in a season-long process of growing and improvement, discovered the makings of their program’s second-ever fastpitch state title.

Many area voters cast their ballots before starting their day with lines forming at some precincts, including Adams Fire Station and at the Dexter Civic Center precinct.

The Million Pines Arts and Crafts Festival will return to Soperton’s Iva Park on Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 with over 250 vendors, the most in the festival’s history.

The Irish didn’t miss a step, out of only a few short ones that were left, on the pathway to their sixth victory in a row and eighth of the season Friday at Buck Cravey Field.

The Royals got more of a scare than they bargained for out of the Falcons, who led twice in the first half and mounted a last-minute threat to tie or go-ahead, to make this the rivals’ closest game in a decade.

The Crusaders got off to a strong start and led after a quarter, but had no answer for J.J. Blackwell, Tristan Hughley and the Eagles’ ground game in Friday’s final game.