GREYHOUND SOFTBALL
The Lady Greyhounds are in bit of respite from the pursuit of leverage in the region as Jones County’s late-season run of games against non-region competition is underway. That span of games against multiple top-10 ranked teams was preceded, however, by a dominant win last Tuesday against Eagles Landing. One day after a key region win against Locust Grove, Jones County took full advantage of the chance to put some fresh faces in the lineup and give a handful of starters some rest.
Putting some of its younger players in the spotlight, Jones County coasted to a 19-1 win with freshman Ensley Barnes shining at the plate and in the pitcher’s circle.
“Any time you play a tight, emotional game, it’s tough to get back up and be ready to play again,” Greyhounds head coach Tripp Burt said. “They did a nice job of getting ready to play.”
In addition to getting her first career win, Barnes also ripped a pair of triples for the Lady Greyhounds.
“She had a good day at the plate and in the circle; she has a bright future,” Burt said. “She has good stuff and definitely has a bright future.”
That led into this past weekend with a pair of games against Harlem and West Laurens.
The Lady Hounds lost 9-1 to West Laurens with hits from Ella Jenkins and Rylie Faulk with Faulk driving in a run. In a 4-2 loss to Harlem, Jones County rallied to close to within two runs after trailing 4-1 after one inning as starting pitcher Ansley Pegg held Harlem without a run after the first. Kimber Kent led Jones County in that contest with two hits with Faulk, Pegg and Bailey Jackson also having hits.
Matchups such as last weekend against Harlem and West Laurens will certainly test the Lady Hounds heading toward the late part of the season, as will this week against heavyweights like Grayson, Archer, Irwin County and South Forsyth. One of the end goals of such a daunting schedule?
To be tested just before a handful of late-season games. Two of the Jones County’s final three games to wrap up the regular season are Oct. 2 and Oct.
5 against Ola and Union Grove, two contests that may decide whether or not JCHS gets homefield advantage for the region playoffs that will affect state playoff seedings. Ola, by the way, is ranked third in AAAAA.
“At this point, you’re definitely shooting for a one or two seed so you have a shot at a region championship,” Burt said.
Grayson is ranked within the top 10 in AAAAAAA; West Laurens and Harlem are third in AAAA and AAA; while two other late-season opponents, Perry and Bleckley County, are also in the state’s top 10 in their respective classifications.
