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Many of the Greenbrier softball players pulled out plastic bags after the state championship game Saturday.
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It seemed appropriate that the girls swept the dirt into the bags as a keepsake after sweeping through the state finals, outscoring the opposition 24-0 in four games to win the school's first fastpitch state title.
Greenbrier (35-1-1) won the school's first state fastpitch title Saturday in Columbus, Ga. The Lady Wolfpack beat Chapel Hill 12-0 in the championship game. The team swept through the finals, outscoring the opposition 24-0 in four games to win the title.
Photo by Jonathan Heeter
"The is the best team in AAAA, period," Greenbrier coach Garrett Black said. "I wouldn't say it if I didn't mean it. I think this is one of the best fastpitch softball teams put together ever."
Greenbrier (35-5-1) celebrated the title after beating Chapel Hill 12-0 in five innings because of the mercy rule. It was the second time in as many days that the Lady Wolfpack had beaten Chapel Hill.
"I think it shows how good we were this season," Tiffany Blackburn said. "We showed that it didn't matter who we played, we were the best team this year."
The Wolfpack cruised through the three-day tournament, with a Thursday night game against Stockbridge being the only test.
Stockbridge, ranked third in the state, pitched highly recruited junior Terese Gober. She gave up only two hits, one a home run by Blackburn, and one run.
But Greenbrier pitcher Kristan Glover was better. She gave up only one hit, with Greenbrier winning 1-0.
The Wolfpack drilled North Forsyth, 6-0, in the first game and beat Chapel Hill twice by a combined score of 17-0.
"We were on the top of our game," Glover said. "We felt like no one could beat us when we played our best, and we played our best."
Greenbrier players celebrate their win over Chapel Hill, giving the Lady Wolfpack the state title.
Photo by Jonathan Heeter
Greenbrier fans and former players all came out on the field to celebrate with a team that began the season ranked No. 1 and ended it the same way.
The four seniors, Glover, Kristi Nichols, Vicki Mazur and Laura Tracy, received the trophy from tournament officials.
"I know how bad the seniors wanted this," Black said. "I am so happy for them that they won and all of the former players that were here to see this."
Black will return seven position players next season, losing Glover and Nichols, who he says is the best first baseman in the state.
"We know how it feels to be here," junior Brittany Leverett said. "Who wouldn't want to be in this position next year? We will be hungry."
Photos by Jonathan Heeter[CAPTION]Photo by Jonathan Heeter
Greenbrier (35-1-1) won the school's first state fastpitch title Saturday in Columbus, Ga. The Lady Wolfpack beat Chapel Hill 12-0 in the championship game. The team swept through the finals, outscoring the opposition 24-0 in four games to win the title.[CAPTION]At left, Greenbrier players celebrate their win over Chapel Hill, giving the Lady Wolfpack the state title.
Below, second baseman Amanda Glover lunges for the ball, making the final out in Saturday's state championship game.
Second baseman Amanda Glover lunges for the ball, making the final out in Saturday's state championship game.
Photo by Jonathan Heeter