Starr’s Mill, Fayette County, Whitewater and Our Lady of Mercy were the only teams from the county to enter the state softball playoffs in their respective classifications.

Starr’s Mill advanced to the Elite Eight, winning all three games last weekend by a combined score of 32-1. The Lady Panthers opened with a 9-0 win over Camden County. Paige Peurifoy picked up the win, allowing one hit and striking out nine batters. Holly Oglesbee went 3-for-3 at the plate and Lauren Marchman went 2-for-2, as the bats came alive for Starr’s Mill. They stayed hot in the second game. The Lady Panthers faced Houston County and won 13-1. Amanda Howett pitched five innings, gave up two hits and a run and struck out three batters. She also went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs. Oglesbee went 3-for-4, Lindsay Walker and Katie Ison each went 2-for-4 and Peurifoy went 3-for-3 with an RBI. In the final game, a match against Brunswick, Oglesbee and Walker each drove in run, as did Rachel Watson and Lindsay Glidden. Peurifoy pitched a no-hitter, while striking out four batters.

Starr’s Mill will take on Collins Hill at 4 p.m. in Columbus on Thursday.

In other games from last weekend’s state tournament action, Fayette County fell to Brunswick in the opener, got a win over Redan on Saturday morning and then lost to Lowndes, 1-0 in eight innings on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Tigers finished with a record of 8-16.

Whitewater opened the AAAA state tournament with a 1-0 loss in eight innings to Luella. The Lady Wildcats were held hitless and struck out 15 times but they also held Luella scoreless until the international tie-breaker with great pitching and solid defense. On Saturday, Whitewater fell to Lee County 2-1. Two one losses are heartbreaking for the Lady Wildcats, but every player will return next season with one thing on their mind, a return trip to the state playoffs and advancing to the elite eight.

Our Lady of Mercy opened the Class A state playoffs with a 18-0 loss to last year’s state champion, Gordon Lee. The Lady Bobcats got their bats going in the second game but fell to Glascock County 10-8.

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