SOFTBALL
Usually, a docket of scheduled games dominates the calendar a few weeks into a softball season. Due to weather, however, the Lady Hounds have practiced against themselves of late, having played twice in roughly the past two weeks.
The light schedule of changes is about to change, depending, of course, on what role Mother Nature plays in the coming weeks. Overall, Jones County began a span this past Tuesday of nine games in a span of nine days. Before that, the Lady Hounds had played just twice since Aug. 18, the most recent contest being an Aug. 31 8-5 loss to Houston County. In the extra-inning loss, Ansley Pegg pitched all eight innings with Shayla Pennington and Bailey Jackson having two hits and Taylor Nipper Having a homer.
“Football gets to the point of being tired of hitting your own guys, and softball is the same,” Lady Greyhounds head coach Tripp Burt said. “They are ready to show what they can do.”
The schedule stretch started on the road Tuesday at Mary Persons followed by this past Wednesday against Union Grove in a clash of two teams with eyes finishing within the top half of the region. Finishing in the top four of the region standings by season’s end is key for Jones County, as the state playoffs will be set for the results of the double elimination region tournament made up of the region’s top four teams.
“This is where you want to hit your stride,” Burt said. We’re 2-4 but would be 5-1 if not for a few innings. Right now, you are just trying to find the best fit, who goes best where and the best overall fit for the group. With a lot of games coming up, we’ll be able to do that and hit our stride, which is always our goal.”
Speaking of region front-runners, JCHS plays Thursday at Locust Grove, who topped the Lady Hounds earlier this year in extra innings.
On Saturday, a pair of games at GCGS await against Harlem and West Laurens. Then, Jones County hosts Mary Persons Monday before three region contests in as many days. It will begin at Eagles Landing on Sept. 13, at home Sept. 14 against Dutchtown in a makeup game from a rescheduled game and finally, Sept. 15 at home against region-leading Ola.
Of the upcoming contests, five are region matchups. As a result, the next week or so stands to say much about the postseason hopes of the Lady Hounds, who entered the week fifth in the region standings, a game back of Warner Robins.
