The Lumpkin County Lady Indians softball team finished as runner-up in the region 7 3A championship after falling short in a double header on Wednesday night.

The Lady Indians faced off against region opponent East Hall. The top-two teams in their region battled earlier in the season at Lumpkin County. The Vikings defeated the Lady Indians at home in the regular season game, and the latter was looking for the opposite to happen at East Hall.

It is a rivalry that many hoped would end with a comeback for the Lady Indians, but unfortunately ended with the Vikings on top 6-1 in the first game and 16-0 in the second.

Lumpkin County played solid defense in the first game

The Vikings jumped ahead with an early lead after their first at bat. Macy Banks, starting pitcher for East Hall, hit a single to right field. Her teammate Abigail Brown put the ball into play immediately after, giving the Vikings time to score and get on the board first.

During Viking Callie Dale’s turn at bat, the ball got past Lady Indians catcher Natalie Schubert and East Hall got their second run. Dale followed with a double, and the Vikings gained their third run. The Lady Indians defense kicked in, and a great play by second baseman Alyssa Pulley got the third out.

Natalie Robinson pitched six innings in the region championship against East Hall on Wednesday.

For several innings neither team scored as the others defense went to work. Natalie Robinson took the mound for the Lady Indians and pitched six innings.

The highlight of the Lady Indians offense came in the top of the fourth inning. Third baseman Lauren English stepped up to bat, and launched an out of the park home run to left field. As she rounded the bases, her teammates came onto the field to greet her at home plate.

Several other great offensive moments for the Lady Indians included two singles by Alyssa Pulley and a single by Natalie Schubert.

Despite Lumpkin County’s best efforts, the Vikings scored three more runs to extend their lead. A couple of walks and a single by Viking Grace Smith put two more runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth.

The Lady Indians held the Vikings from scoring more runs for a couple more innings by playing great defense. A great running catch by left fielder AK Wilson turned into a double play after she threw the ball to Alyssa Pulley at first.

The final run of the game for the Vikings came after a single by Gracie Ausborn to clinch the first win 6-1.

Lady Indians offense struggled in second game

The Vikings again jumped ahead with an early lead after back to back singles to start the second game. They

Lauren English hit a home run for the Lady Indians in the first game, then pitched in the second.

also scored eight runs over a lengthy eighth inning that secured them the lead.

Although they battled for hits during each at bat, the Lady Indians were unable to score.

English took the mound as the starting pitcher for Lumpkin County, and pitched a total of three innings. Emmie Graham came in at the top of the fourth and pitched one inning.

The final score was 16-0.

The Lady Indians are officially the second seed heading into playoffs for the state championship. They will host the third seed from region 5 3A on Wednesday, October 9th.