Whitewater’s varsity softball team has made the Class AAAA Elite Eight and Sandy Creek’s team has made the Class AAA Elite Eight.

The Lady Wildcats opened the state playoffs with a 3-2 win over Jones County. The game was won with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning from Nikki Montesanti. Haley Richards had driven in the first two runs with a triple in the first inning. Whitney Toler picked up the win, striking out seven batters and allowing only two hits.

Whitewater followed the win with a 3-1 win over Greenbrier. Lauren Willamon drove in three runs with a double in the first inning and Toler got the win again, this time striking out three batters and pitching out of some big jams.

The Whitewater offense then unloaded on Lee County with a 15-0 win. Toler threw a one hitter and struck out five batters, while Ashley Schwab and Tess Echols each went 2-for-3 at the plate. Echols had three RBIs. Others with RBIs in the win were Jamie Saunders and Lauren Willamon.

Whitewater opens the Elite Eight with a game against Marist at 2 p.m. on Thursday at the Columbus Softball Complex. The winner will take on the winner of Cherokee and Lee County at 6 p.m.

The Lady Patriots opened the Class AAA tournament with a 1-0 win over Apalachee in eight innings. They lost to Lumpkin County 7-4 in the second game but followed it up with three straight wins. They defeated Cedartown 11-0, beat Elbert County 4-3 and then avenged previous losses to central, Carroll and won 4-3 in eight innings.

In the Elbert County game, Megan Kallatsa, Dani Frazier and Kayla Awbrey all hit well. Awbrey had the game winning hit. Against Central, Carroll, Kayla Folds picked up eight strikeouts while Candace Dunn drove in the winning run in the eighth inning, scoring Kallatsa.

Sandy Creek will take on Northside, Columbus at noon on Thursday at the Columbus Softball Complex and the winner will meet the winner of Oconee County and South Effingham at 4 p.m.

In other Class AAAA tournament action, McIntosh lost to Dutchtown 2-0 in the opener and followed it with a 6-1 win over Wayne County and a 1-0 win over Effingham County. The Lady Chiefs lost to Northside, Warner Robins 2-1.

Starr’s Mill opened with a 4-0 loss to Northside, Warner Robins and followed it with a 17-0 win over Bainbridge. The Lady Panthers then lost to Greenbrier 2-1.