Clayton News Daily

From Staff Reports

Both Union Grove and Strong Rock made the most of their first-round games at the state softball tournament in Columbus Thursday with a pair of 4-0 wins.

The Lady Wolverines knocked off top-ranked Madison County in the Class AAAA poll, while Strong Rock beat Savannah Christian in Class A action.

It is Strong Rock Christian's first trip to the state tournament after joining the GHSA this season.

Union Grove pitcher Megan Betsa is trying to win her second title in a row. Last year, she led ELCA to the Class A crown before transferring.

Strong Rock 4, Savannah Christian 0: The Lady Patriots scored three runs in the top of first inning behind a base hit by Megan Delong, a double by Leah Couch and RBIs from Jessie Romines, stating pitcher Katie Shultes and Katie Jo Goodwin to take control of the their first-round game against Savannah Christian.

Strong Rock then added one more run later in the game when Ansley Hughes reached on a double and scored on an error.

Schultes finished with 10 strikeouts.

That moved them on to play against Providence Christian in a winners' bracket game later in the day. Providence won the game 1-0 to send the Lady Patriots into a must-win loser's bracket game at 1 p.m.

Union Grove 4, Madison County 0: The Lady Wolverines advanced to the second round of the Class AAAA tournament by defeating the No. 1-ranked Lady Red Raiders.

Union Grove (30-9) got all of its scoring done in the top of the first inning, which was more than enough support for starting pitcher Megan Betsa, who pitched a complete game.

The sixth-ranked Lady Wolverines faced Greenbrier in their second game Thursday. That game ended after press time.

For details, check our coverage online at www.henryherald.com.