By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Sports Editor

Tuesday saw two titans in 4-AAA softball meet in a highly anticipated contest. The Starr's Mill Panthers hosted the Sandy Creek Patriots in what could be the championship matchup in this weekend's AAA area tournament. Both teams wanted to send a message to their opponents in what quickl became an incredible county rivalry. Sandy Creek edged out Starr's Mill by a score of 2-1 and the message was sent.

The Panthers scored first in the bottom of the first when senior Jamie Vining singled, stole second and then scored. The game would then remain scoreless until the fifth inning. With runners on second and third, Jessica DeMooney hit a two run double that gave the Patriots the lead and also the win. Pitcher Tika Hayes pitched a complete game for Sandy Creek and recorded five strikeouts, and Chrissy Lunsford also had two hits in the game.

“Tika struggled early, but she was on fire at the end,” said Patriots Coach Tonya Carlisle. “I saw something in her that I haven't seen all season.”

Now, it will all come down to this weekend's tournament, to be held at Meade Field in Peachtree City. Starr's Mill is the favorite, having a 3-1 advantage over Woodward and Starr's Mill this season, but all three teams are close. How close? Sandy Creek played Woodward Academy yesterday, after the paper went to press. If they won they tie Starr's Mill for first, if they lose they are in second, slightly ahead of Woodward Academy.

Starr's Mill has played consistently well after starting the season poorly. They had won 13 games in a row until the loss to Sandy Creek. They have experienced players, an almost all senior infield, and some power hitters. Sandy Creek has been explosive of late. The team made some much needed adjustments to their offense and it worked. In last week's three games against Creekside, Banneker, and Cedar Grove, they outscored their opponents 49-6.

The area tournament will begin today at 5 p.m. at Meade Field. The tentative schedule is for Starr's Mill to open with a game against Creekside and for Sandy Creek to open with a game against Woodward Academy, their opponents yesterday.

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