Swainsboro came into the final three games of the regular season likely needing to win at least two of those games to qualify for the playoffs. In order for the GHSA to complete the playoff brackets for this week’s playoffs, all regular season games, including make-up games, were to be completed by Thursday October 8th. Needing to finish out their schedule and make up two games that had been rained out, Swainsboro wound up playing three games, in three different towns, in just over 24 hours. Those three opponents were also on the playoff “bubble” in their respective classifications and needed a strong finish to the season as well.
On Wednesday, Swainsboro hit the road for a game in Hephzibah against the GSIC Patriots. The game against GSIC had been rained out not once, but twice, earlier in the season. Swainsboro struck early with a two-run double by Lily Hudson and an RBI single by Kyleigh Hostilo which staked the Lady Tigers to an early three-run lead. Swainsboro out hit GSIC 13-11 in the back and forth game and held on for a 12-9 victory. Senior Ariel Tapley set the tone on offense with two doubles in a 3 for 5, four RBI performance for the Lady Tigers. Anna Grace Scarborough (2-4), Jenn Hernandez (2-4), Kyleigh Hostilo (2-4), and Lily Hudson (2-5, 2 RBI) also had big nights at the plate. Hillary Garvin came in to pitch four and one-third innings in relief to pick up the win.
On Thursday, Swainboro hosted region foe Dodge County for a 1pm contest. Again Swainsboro jumped out to an early lead. First inning hits from AG Scarborough, Jenn Hernandez, Sara Smith, and Stella Marsh got the Lady Tigers going early. Unfortunately, Swainsboro could not fend off the Indians and fell to Dodge County by a final score of 15-6. Lily Hudson and Stella Marsh led the Tigers with two hits each.
Fresh of that defeat, the Lady Tigers loaded the bus and headed south for a 6pm game at Tattnall County. The Lady Tigers came out a little sluggish but scored two runs in the top of the third inning to tie the game. The score remained 3-3, but in the bottom of the fourth inning Tattnall County was able to turn three walks, an error, and a double into three insurance runs and went on to win the game by a score of 6-3. AG Scarborough (3-4) and Kyleigh Hostilo (2-4) led the Lady Tigers at the plate.
Unfortunately, with the two losses, the Lady Tigers softball season came to an end as they finished just one spot out of the playoffs.
