A home sweep of the Hardaway Hawks in the first round of the Class 2A state softball playoffs sent the Miller Grove Wolverines into the Sweet 16 round for the first time since 2017.

Miller Grove’s senior record holding pitcher Amiyah Morrison led the way in the 8-0 win to open the best-of-three series at Miller Grove allowing just one hit, no runs, one walk and striking out 12.

Morrison grounded out in the bottom of the first to drive in the first two runs of the game. Miller Grove (17-2) built on the lead in the bottom of the second on RBI singles by Mariah Presley and Saniya Francis. Morrison then tacked on two more in the third inning with an inside the park home run to up the lead to 6-0.

Morrison finished one for two at the plate and three RBI in the game to go with her pitching performance to lead the Wolverines. Armonie Morrison, Mariah Presley and Anazji Gordon had hits in the game. Presley and Amiyah Morrison led the charge as Miller Grove stole nine bases in the game.

Kamiya Whittlesey took the loss for Hardaway allowing eight runs (six earned) while striking out eight and walking five. Kei’Mayah Neal had the only hit of the game for Hardaway (11-13).

Miller Grove jumped on Hardaway early as the Wolverines built a 9-1 lead through four innings jumped started by a four-run top of the first inning. Armonie Morrison singled to score two runs and Iyanna Redfearn and Julia Kidd both drew bases-loaded walks to drive in one run apiece.

JaNiya Smith upped the lead to 5-0 with an RBI single into left in the top of third. The Wolverines struck for five more runs in the third inning on just two hits. Presley singled in a run and Armonie Morrison slapped a two-run double. The other two runs came on a groundout by Amiyah Morrison and a bases-loaded walk to Kidd.

Amiya Morrison again picked up the win for Miller Grove as she allowed one run, two hits and three walks while striking out eight in four innings. Daisia Crutchfield took the loss for Hardaway allowed 13 runs and eight hits over four innings.

Miller Grove was disciplined at the plate picking up 11 walks in the game including four to Julia Kidd. Janiya Smith, Mariah Presley and Kidd were busy on the base paths as Miller Grove tallied 13 stolen bases in the game.

The No. 5 seeded Miller Grove moves on to the Sweet 16 to host the No. 12 seeded Thomson Bulldogs (10-10) who swept Sumter County 10-6 and 23-12 on Tuesday, October 22.

In other Class 2A action Redan (8-9) fell in two games to South Atlanta (17-4) by scores of 15-12 and 20-9 to fall out of the playoffs.

Southwest DeKalb (11-11) travelled to Wayne County (20-7) on Wednesday falling 15-0 and 20-0 to get eliminated from the Class 4A state playoffs.

Chamblee (22-5) hosts Dutchtown (19-7) at 1:00 pm on Friday and Lakeside (19-4) hosts Newnan (13-15) at 11:00 am in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs. Dunwoody (10-13) travels to Northgate (21-6) in its Class 5A best-of-three series set for a 12:00 pm start.

DCSD SOFTBALL STATE PLAYOFF RESULTS
Wednesday, October 16
CLASS 2A
Miller Grove (16-2) 8, Hardaway (11-12) 0
Miller Grove (17-2) 13, Hardaway (11-13) 1
Miller Grove wins series 2-1
South Atlanta (16-4) 15, Redan (8-8) 12
South Atlanta (17-4) 20, Redan (8-9) 9
South Atlanta wins series 2-0
CLASS 4A
Wayne Co. (19-7) 15, Southwest DeKalb (11-10) 0
Wayne Co. (20-7) 20, Southwest DeKalb (11-11) 0
Wayne Co. wins series 2-0

DCSD SOFTBALL STATE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Friday, October 18
CLASS 5A
Dutchtown (19-7) at Chamblee (22-5), 1:00 pm (DH)
Newnan (13-15) at Lakeside (19-4), 11:00 am (DH)
Dunwoody (10-13) at Northgate (21-6), 2:00 pm (DH)

Saturday, October 19 (if necessary)
CLASS 5A
Dutchtown (19-7) at Chamblee (22-5), 10:00 am
Newnan (13-15) at Lakeside (19-4), 11:30 am
Dunwoody (10-13) at Northgate (21-6), 12:00 pm