Greenbrier takes second in tourney
Harlem, Lakeside also played in tournament
All four Columbia County high school softball teams were active during the weekend in multigame tournament play.
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Greenbrier (14-1) took second place in the Gold division at the Shaw Invitational, and Evans (10-8) reached the Gold round in its own tournament at Patriots Park.
The Lady Wolfpack, fresh off a region win over Evans on Thursday, kept its undefeated streak alive through the first day of play. Greenbrier started off the tournament with a 3-0 win over Class AAAAA Lowndes in nine innings with a three-run home run off the bat of sophomore Ashlyn Masters.
Greenbrier went on to win its second game Friday against Class AA Jordan, 22-0.
On Saturday, the Lady Wolfpack, ranked No. 2 in Class AAAA, knocked off Class AAAA No. 7 Whitewater, 3-2, but suffered its first loss of the season to Class AAAAA No. 2 Mill Creek, 5-4. They finished the tournament with an 11-0 blowout over Stockbridge.
The loss to Mill Creek ended Greenbrier's record-breaking undefeated streak at 13 games to start the season.
The Lady Wolfpack still holds a 14-1 record, and the main purpose of its trip to Columbus, Ga., was achieved.
"We played all of our games in the big stadium," Greenbrier softball coach Garrett Black said. "It was a great experience. I think that helps a lot. The past several years, we've played key games in that stadium, and who knows? We might end up playing a big game there again."
Also in action
Harlem (10-3) and Lakeside (6-6) also participated in the Evans tournament last weekend at Patriots Park.
The Lady Bulldogs beat the Lady Panthers, 4-3, in a Silver division game Saturday. Harlem went on to take first place in the division, and Lakeside finished third.
Harlem beat Aquinas, 10-2 in pool play Friday before losing the next game to Region 3-AAA rival South Effingham, 3-1.
The Lady Bulldogs bounced back on Saturday with wins over Lakeside, Cross Creek and Salem.
Lakeside went 2-3 in the tournament, but one main goal from the young squad was accomplished.
"This was great for our freshmen pitchers," Lakeside coach Christine Gisler said. "We fought hard, and we didn't get shut out."
Lakeside's two wins came in a 15-1 blowout over Burke County on Friday and a 9-0 victory over Salem on Saturday.