The ECI Lady Dawgs softball team captured their third consecutive region championship last week, entering the state playoffs as a number one seed from region three. This marks the eighth regional championship in the last ten years for the Lady Dawgs softball program.
After losing eight seniors off the state championship team, this is quite an accomplishment for the team, coach Wimberly and his staff. The team stayed focused on the task ahead, with virtually a new starting lineup, which shows continuity in the program from middle to high school level.
The Lady Dawgs ended region play in Darien last week, taking both games against McIntosh Co. 15-0 and 13-0 in the double header. With a 7-1 region record, the Lady Dawgs were tied with Jenkins Co., also with a 7-1 record. Both teams gave each other their only region loss with ECI beating the Eagles 5-1 and Jenkins taking the rematch 6-5 in 8 innings. The Bulldogs won the tiebreaker of runs allowed to take their third championship in a row.
As a number one seed, the Bulldogs will host one of the super regionals in the state playoffs. The Super Regional will be held on Monday and Tuesday, October 16-17, in double elimination style, with four teams including the host team Bulldogs. As of press time, just two teams have inked their names in the bracket in the ECI Super Regional.
The Bulldogs will play the number four seed from region 2 two. Hawkinsville, the number two seed from region four, will play the number three seed from region one.
Game times, plus complete Super Regional schedule and teams will be posted on ECI Softball and Emanuel County Institute Facebook pages when available.
