The Morgan County Softball team recently earned its spot in Columbus for the Class 2A Elite Eight, aiming to defend its 2024 state championship.
The Lady Dogs dominated their second-round playoff series against Hart County on Oct. 22, sweeping the series 12-0 and 14-0.
Morgan County head coach Chad Pigg described the sweep as a "good, all-around team win."
“When our pitchers give us a chance like that and just make it really tough for the other team, it frees us up in the box and gives us a chance to relax a little bit and just play offense,” Pigg said. “It was a really fun night as far as offense goes and for defense, just because our pitchers did really, really well on defense, got opportunities, and made plays.”
The Lady Dogs outscored Hart County 26-0, as both games resulted in run-rule wins. They jumped on the visiting Lady Bulldogs from Hartwell, resulting in early momentum.
Players such as Jayden Daniel, Jaleigh Harper, A’Ziyah Robertson, Chandler Aaron, and Mary Faulkner performed well at the plate in the series. The team totaled 30 hits in the lopsided series win.
Kennedi Johnekins and Sidney Fischer also had stellar outings in the circle, combining for seven shutout innings.
In the second game, Morgan County saw senior Ryleigh Hilsman appear in the circle after missing the entire regular season due to injury. She made a brief appearance in the first round at the plate.
Hilsman returned to the circle in game two against Hart County to seal the deal in the fourth inning. She said she has been determined to return to the field since the start of the regular season.
"Throughout the entire season, I was like, no matter what, I'm going to try in the playoffs even if my arm literally feels like it's about to fall off, but thankfully it feels a lot better," Hilsman said. "It has started to feel better like this week, and Coach Pigg just asked if I was good to go, and I said yes."
Overall, Hilsman was pleased with her performance and looks forward to another opportunity at winning a state title. She was a key part of last season’s state championship run as the team’s ace.
"I had to learn like I'm not going to be where I was when I left, which has been hard, but at the same time, I just have to work with what I got," Hilsman said. "I one million percent would love to win another ring; there's nothing in the world that will beat that feeling, and I want to experience it again."
With the Lady Dogs' trip to Columbus for the Elite Eight, Pigg hopes to see his players give a strong effort.
"Winning game down there will be huge, and will put us in a good position, so it's going to be some dogfights," Pigg said. "It's a lot of fun and it'll take a lot out of you, but we're excited to get back down there and get an opportunity at it."
Morgan County will begin the double-elimination tournament with a 10 a.m. matchup against region rival Callaway, a team it has already beaten twice this season, on Thursday.