Miller Grove’s Mariah Presley slides safely into second on steal as Thomson shortstop Kendyl Reynolds awaits a throw. Miller Grove went on to win the opening game 9-1. (Photo by Mark Brock)
A sweep of the Thomson Bulldogs at Miller Grove on Tuesday afternoon propelled the Wolverines into GHSA Class 2A Elite 8 State Softball Tournament for the first time in program history.
Miller Grove had last made the second round of the state playoffs in 2017 and after losing took seven years to get back for the chance to move on to the state tournament.
The Wolverines (19-2) and Bulldogs (10-12) both managed just two hits in the opening game 9-1 win by Miller Grove. The significant difference was pitching as Thomson’s Khya Latimore lasted just 2/3 of an inning.
Miller Grove scored seven runs in the opening frame as they took advantage of five walks and four hit batters. After both Mariah Presley and Saniya Francis were hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the first, Armonie Morrison slapped a single into left for the only hit in the inning to drive in one run. Bases-loaded walks to Presley and Morrison later in the inning drove in runs along with Francis getting hit by a pitch with the bases full drove in runs as well.
While on the other side Miller Grove pitcher Amiyah Morrison set down the first six batters she faced, four via strikeout. Andie Docey got the first of her two hits and Thomson’s only hits off Morrison to lead off the third inning. She would then score the only run for the Bulldogs on an error.
Miller Grove added runs in the bottom of the third and fifth to close out the five-inning run-rule game 9-1.
Armonie Morrison finished the game 2-2 with two RBI to lead Miller Grove at the plate. Amiyah Morrison finished the game allowing just two hits and one unearned run while striking out 10 and walking none.
Miller Grove’s Joy Choe fouls off a pitch as she battles her way to a walk during the Wolverines’ 9-1 win in game 1 against Thomson. (Photo by Mark Brock)
GAME 2
Miller Grove 11, Thomson 1
Miller Grove struck for 11 hits in the deciding game of the playoff doubleheader on the way to completing the sweep over Thomson via an 11-1 win in the nightcap at Miller Grove.
Hitting as the visiting team in the second game the Wolverines struck for three runs aided by back-to-back walks to Saniya Francis and Armonie Morrison. Amiyah Morrison made Thomson pay with a two-run double and later scored on a wild pitch for the early 3-0 lead.
Miller Grove struck for five runs in the third inning keyed by single up the middle by Armonie Morrison. A bases loaded walk to Antawana Simpson and an infield single by Presley pushed across two more runs as the lead expanded to 8-0.
Amiyah Morrison added another RBI double in a three-run inning by the Wolverines. Janiya Smith added an RBI single as the lead went up to 11-0.
A two-out double by Khya Lattimore followed by a triple from Taziyah Moss plated the only run of the game for Thomson in the bottom of the third.
Amiyah Morrison finished the game with eight strikeouts, just two from 200 for the season, while allowing three hits and one run. Morrison has 198 strikeouts on the season to raise her Miller Grove record to 525 strikeouts over the past four seasons. She also went 4-4 with three doubles and two RBI at the plate.
Armonie Morrison finished 3-3 and Mariah Presley 2-4 with an RBI each while Janiya Smith was 1-4 with two RBI.
Miller Grove moves on to the double-elimination state tournament in Columbus at 11:00 am to take on the Stephens County (20-6)/Columbus (23-9) winner. The two teams split their doubleheader on Tuesday as Stephens County won the opener 8-3 and Columbus forced a third game with a 3-1 victory in the nightcap.
DCSD SOFTBALL STATE PLAYOFF RESULTS
Tuesday, Oct. 22
CLASS 2A SECOND ROUND
Miller Grove (18-2) 9, Thomson (10-11) 1
Miller Grove (19-2) 11, Thomson (10-12) 1
Miller Grove wins series 2-0
DCSD SOFTBALL STATE PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Thursday, Oct. 24
CLASS 5A SECOND ROUND
Creekview (19-8) at Chamblee (24-5), 12:00 pm (DH)
Friday, Oct. 25 (If necessary)
Creekview (19-8) at Chamblee (24-5), 4:00 pm
Wednesday, Oct. 30
CLASS 2A STATE TOURNAMENT
SOUTH COMMONS SOFTBALL COMPLEX – FIELD 5
Miller Grove (19-2) vs. Stephens Co. (20-6)/Columbus (23-9) winner, 11:00 am