Lyons, GA. – October 20, 2023 | Coach Hayne Brant

In a dazzling showdown at the Cook County Super Regional, the Lady Dawgs Softball team showcased their superior skills, clinching their spot in the much-anticipated Elite 8 in Columbus, Georgia.

Their face-off against the Northeast Varsity Raiders was a great start in the Super Regional, with Toombs County marking a decisive 12-0 victory.

Natalie Quintero emerged as a top performer at the plate, registering three hits in as many at-bats. Her back-to-back doubles in consecutive innings were clutch, leaving the Raiders struggling to keep pace.

On the pitching front, right-hander Casey Cantwell stole the show, striking out 10 batters, while conceding only one hit and zero runs in four innings. Remarkably, she did this without giving up any walks.

The next game of the Super Regional saw the Lady Dawgs set the tone from the outset against #1 Max Preps Ranked Cook County. A combination of opposition errors and a wild pitch gave the Dogs a 2-1 advantage by the second inning, with Nora Grace Mercer and Aniston Powell playing instrumental roles.

The third inning was all about raw power and strategy. Kassidy Brantley, Natalie Quintero, and Aniston Powell combined their efforts, amassing hits that scored six crucial runs for the Bulldogs.

Shay Stringer then took charge in the pitcher’s circle, yielding only two runs on four hits in a four-inning stint. She ended the day with seven strikeouts. Not to be outdone, Casey Cantwell wrapped up the game, striking out three without allowing a hit in her three-inning spell.

In the decisive Championship clash in game two versus the Cook County Hornets, the Dawgs cruised to a 4-0 win. Stringer exhibited her pitching mastery once again, shutting out Cook County with just two hits in a seven-inning battle. Hitters of the day included Nora Grace Mercer, Emerson Powell, Casey Cantwell, Shay Stringer, Natalie Quintero, and Aniston Powell. Kassidy Brantley was especially notable with her two hits and pair of RBIs, culminating in an 8-hit total for the Dawgs.

Commenting on the team’s splendid run, Coach Hayne Brant remarked, “I am super excited for all our players. We came to this super regional with a bunch of confidence because of how well we have been playing over the last two weeks. We played together as a team and never gave up when we went through some trials during the season. We are excited to have the opportunity to continue to play and experience the Elite 8 in Columbus this coming week.”