Franklin Co. Lady Lions Fastpitch Softball Team Takes State Championship

By Mark Berryman, 92.1WLHR News, Lavonia

The Franklin County Lady Lions fastpitch softball team finished off a very successful 2018 campaign by winning their first ever state title.

The tournament started with Franklin County facing Pace Academy, beating them in two straight games 15-0 and 14-0.

Franklin County then advanced to the second round, topping Coahulla Creek 3-0 and 8-2 in back-to-back wins.

The wins sent Franklin County to Columbus this past weekend as one of the final eight teams remaining in the tournament. Also advancing were Appling County, Brantley County, Calhoun, Cook County, Jefferson, Sonoraville and Worth County.

Franklin defeated Appling County 12-0 in the first round of the championship bracket, then faced Sonoraville. That game proved to be somewhat tougher, as the Lady Lions edged the Lady Phoenix 4-3.

The win over Sonoraville pitted the Lady Lions against the Lady Dragons of Jefferson, a nearby rival. Once again, Franklin County was able to squeak out a win, topping Jefferson 10-9.

Relegated to the loser’s bracket, Jefferson would not go quietly, as they rallied to face Franklin County in the championship game on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Lions dispatched the Lady Dragons 9-5 in one game, clinching the school’s first state title in fastpitch softball.