GHSA Softball Championships: Five defending champions remain in winner’s brackets; three have long road to championship series

East Coweta (6A), Creekview (5A), Heritage-Catoosa (3A), Emanuel County Institute (A-Division II) and Wesleyan (Private) are the defending champions who have yet to lose in the GHSA State Fast Pitch Softball Championship in Columbus.

In the state’s highest class, the inevitable collision course between defending-champion East Coweta and 12-time champion Buford has been realized. East Coweta, who beat Buford in the championship series last season, moved past Archer 8-2 and Richmond Hill 7-0 to set up a meeting with the Wolves. Buford defeated North Cobb 8-0 and Brookwood 7-0 to earn a berth in the winner’s bracket final, scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m.

Three defending champs have a long road ahead of them.

Gordon Lee (A-Division I), Morgan County (2A) and Harris County (4A) are the defending champions who suffered losses in the second round of the winner’s bracket and will have to win five games – including two games in the championship series -- to defend their titles.

In Class 5A, Creekview moved past Effingham County 7-0 and Veterans 12-4 to set up a winner’s bracket final game against South Effingham. In Class 4A, Eastside defeated Union Grove 11-3 and defending champion Harris County 4-1 to earn a berth against Kell, who moved past Cartersville 6-0 and Central-Carroll 9-1.

Heritage-Catoosa defeated Southeast Bulloch 8-4 and West Laurens 3-1 to earn a berth in the Class 3A winner’s bracket final against Cherokee Bluff. The Bears moved past Pickens 7-2 and LaFayette 10-2. In Class 2A, Sonoraville defeated Pike County 3-2 and defending-champion Morgan County 8-7 to earn a berth against Appling County in the winner’s bracket final. Appling moved past Cook 3-0 and Pierce County 4-1.

Bremen beat Banks County 4-0 and Class A-Division I defending-champion Gordon Lee 8-0 and will play Armuchee in the winner’s bracket final. Armuchee defeated Bacon County 8-0 and Dade County 2-1 to stay alive. In Class A-Division II, Emanuel County Institute beat Baconton Charter 11-0 and Irwin County 3-1 and will face Lanier County in the winner’s bracket final. Lanier County beat Wheeler County 1-0 and Taylor County 7-6 to advance.

Defending-champion Wesleyan beat Whitefield Academy 7-0 and Prince Avenue 4-2 in the Private championship and will play Hebron in the winner’s bracket final. The Lions defeated Mount Vernon 13-0 and Providence Chrisitan 11-8 to advance.

‍

‍