Knights, Wolfpack rolling in softball

As I prepare this column, Evans and Greenbrier high schools are gearing up to play in Round 2 of the state softball playoffs. The Wolfpack swept past Groves in Round 1, taking Game 1 12-0, then earning a 16-0 shutout in Game 2.

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Greenbrier also posted its 14th consecutive region title and enters Round 2 as one of the favorites to advance to the Elite 8, which will be played in Columbus, Ga., later this month.

Garrett Black's squad is riding a hot streak, having won seven consecutive games. In the recent streak, the 'Pack outscored their opponents 49-0.

For the season, Greenbrier has been tough to score on. The team allowed just 36 runs in its 34 games this season, and has yielded more than three runs only once all year. Meanwhile, Black's team has had no problem crossing the plate, having scored 229 times and standing at 27-7 on the year.

For Collette Cassedy's Evans squad, they, too, are set to play in Round 2 after getting past Wayne County in three games (3-0, 0-2, and 3-0). The Knights are 24-7-1 for the year and posted an unblemished 11-0 mark in Region 3-AAAA.

Like Greenbrier, Evans has been hot, having won six of its past seven games. During that stretch, the Knights have outscored their opponents 33-4. For the season, Evans has scored 179 runs while allowing just 49. In region play, the Knights were unstoppable -- running past their opponents by an amazing count of 116-4 in their 11 wins.

Carter in Athens

Former Lakeside standout golfer Brian Carter has his first three college events under his belt and, while his play has been a little up and down, he has certainly had his moments thus far.

Actually, for a true freshman to even post a qualifying score for a perennial power like Georgia is impressive in its own right. Carter opened his UGA career at the Carpet Capitol Intercollegiate with rounds of 76-83-78, which placed him 55th out of a field of 60 players.

However, he bounced back nicely with his first career Top 10 at the Olympia Fields Invitational. Carter fired rounds of 70-70-76 to finish 10th in the 75-player field.

He did not fare as well at the recent Brickyard Intercollegiate, an event won by Augusta State University. Playing at the Brickyard in Macon, Ga., Carter struggled with rounds of 81-86.

He currently has a 77.50 scoring average, which places him 46th in the SEC.