Starr's Mill's Lady Panther varsity softball team finished

last season as runners-up in the AAAAA state tournament. They are on

their way to returning the final game, seeking redemption and a state

title. Last week, the team went 3-0 in the opening rounds of the tournament.

They faced Brookwood yesterday after the paper went to press.

Starr's Mill opened with a 17-0 win over redan in four innings.

Amanda Howett pitched three innings, striking out four batters while

Paige Peurifoy pitched one inning and struck out the side. kate Kuzma

went 2-for2 at the plate with five RBIs, while Carly taylor, Lindsay

Glidden and Lindsay Walker each went 2-for-2 as well.

In the second game, the Lady Panthers outlasted Groves 1-0. Jackie Jones

pitched all seven innings, giving up two hits and striking out six batters.

Howett went 2-for-3 at the plate with two doubles and the game winning

RBI in the sixth inning.

"We left a lot of runners on base," said Coach Mark Williamson,

who wondered during the game if they would be able to score.

The bats came back a bit in the final game of the weekend as Starr's

Mill beat Tift County 4-1. Lynsey Tedford, Caitlin Rosa and Rachel Watson

each drove in a run in the win, while Jones once again pitched a complete

game and struk out six.

Now, Starr's Mill faces Brookwood, a team that has handed the Lady

Panthers two 5-0 losses this season. A win over Brookwood last night

could of set up a rematch with last year's state champs, Kell, in

the 6 p.m. game last night.

Visit www.thecitizennews.com for softball updates.