Area's squads open up strong

Tropical Storm Fay tossed its outer bands over Evans' softball home opener Wednesday.

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Play was stopped multiple times to wait for the rain to let up. But the Knights and senior pitcher Laura Brown kept their focus and beat Cross Creek 8-0. The Knights continued their undefeated start, having won the South Gwinnett Diamond Classic on Aug. 16.

Softball in Columbia County is officially underway.

Greenbrier tore through a season- opening tournament at Madison County, producing a 6-0 record with five shutouts. Two days later, the Wolfpack opened region play by beating defending 2-AAAAA champion Union Grove 2-0.

One of Greenbrier's first victims was Harlem, which fell 8-0. The Bulldogs won their first three games at Madison County and dropped their final three.

Harlem coach Mike Leverett, who sat outside the left-field fence watching Evans play Cross Creek on Wednesday, is dealing with a young team after losing six starters. He said he's confident his players will come together as the season progresses.

"We're young, but we're capable of winning big games," Leverett said. "But you can't not play defense and win."

While Leverett talked, he watched Brown wrap up a dominant performance on the mound. She and junior pitcher Jenny Shepherd will again give the Knights the depth they need to be a threat in the postseason.

"It's going to be tough to beat those girls," Leverett said. "You got to play your best game."

Knights coach Colette Cassedy said her team hadn't played the greatest of games against the Razorbacks, but she was fine with the result. The game won't count in the region standings, though the Knights' region now includes Cross Creek. The game will count toward the region standings when the Knights travel to Cross Creek on Sept. 25.

The Knights don't know much about some of their new region foes. But the objective for the season remains the same as it has in years past.

"Our goal is to go to state finals," Brown said.

Nothing a little rain could derail.

"We just got to stay focused and work hard," Brittnie Harrison said.