When the

Sandy Creek Patriots entered the 4-AAA Area Tournament

last Friday afternoon, they were hoping for a matchup

with their rivals the Starr's Mill Panthers. The two

teams play often and girls on both sides play together in

the off-season, so when they meet, the games are very

tight.

After

Starr's Mill manhandled Creekside, winning 10-0 in 5

innings, and Sandy Creek edged out Woodward Academy 3-2,

it was time for the two teams to meet once again. It was

a good game to watch, as there were four lead changes in

the game. But Chrissy Lunsford of the Sandy Creek

Patriots got injured and the game was delayed for 45

minutes. During the delay, friends from both teams

gathered in a prayer circle to pray for Lunsford.

The game

started back up and Starr's Mill made defensive errors

that they typically do not make. Kristi Gardner and

Sydney Sneed each hade three singles for the Patriots and

drove in 2 RBIs a piece. Sandy Creek `s explosive offense

recorded 17 hits in their 9-7 victory.

The loss

sent Starr's Mill to face Woodward Academy on Saturday

morning. The Panthers put together 16 hits and beat the

War Eagles 13-0 in five innings. Kelly Davis pitched for

the Panthers and recorded the win. The win led them to

another match with the Sandy Creek Patriots.

Christine

Giseler pitched against Tika Hayes of the Patriots in the

two teams second match of the weekend. Giseler has

pitched a lot of JV for Starr's Mill and is coming along.

She gave up nine hits and four runs but the Panthers

pulled out a win. The win forced another game between the

two teams for a chance to go to the State sectional

tournament in Conyers on Oct. 9.

Kelsi

McBride took the mound for the Panthers and pitched

masterfully, allowing only three hits. Beth Jenkins

allowed six hits for Sandy Creek, but only gave up one

run. One run was enough however. Jamie Vining walked,

then stole second. Sarah Scott then bunted and the

Patriots misplayed the bunt, allowing both Vining and

Scott to remain safe. Brittany Sykes, the Panthers DH,

was up next and she singled, driving in the only run of

the day.

"We

played some incredible defense," Coach Donna Bailey

said. "The girls threw people out at the plate, made

double plays. They played great."

The

Panthers will now work on some individual instruction as

they prepare for their return to the state sectional

tournament. Their first game will be against someone from

Area 1-AAA at 12:30p.m. at Thompson Park on Oct. 9.