Madison Joyce collects three hits, Gabby Taylor drives in four as Jeff Davis earns a spot among Georgia’s final four teams
COLUMBUS, Ga. — The Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets are headed to the Final Four!
Behind a strong offensive performance and another complete game from Briley Reagin, Jeff Davis defeated Bacon County 11-2 on Thursday, October 29, securing a place in the GHSA State Softball Tournament Final Four.
The victory was especially meaningful for the Jackets, who had lost both regular-season meetings against Bacon County. This time, with a trip to the Final Four on the line, Jeff Davis came away with the win.
The Jackets collected 11 hits and drew nine walks, keeping pressure on the Bacon County defense throughout the game.
Jeff Davis wasted little time getting its offense going. In the top of the first inning, senior Madison Joyce delivered a two-run double to center field. Gabby Taylor followed with a two-run single down the right-field line, giving the Jackets four early runs.
The Jackets continued to build their lead in the third inning when Ava Bohannon delivered an RBI single, extending the advantage to 5-1. Jeff Davis maintained its offensive momentum throughout the contest, eventually finishing with 11 runs.
Joyce turned in an impressive performance at the plate, collecting three hits in five at-bats. She doubled in both the first and seventh innings and added a single in the fifth, helping lead the Jackets’ offensive effort.
Taylor also delivered a standout performance from the seventh spot in the batting order, finishing 2-for-4 with a team-high four RBIs.
Bohannon and Mattie Walsh each collected multiple hits, giving Jeff Davis several productive contributors throughout the lineup. Savanna Robinette, who drove in four runs in Wednesday’s 7-1 victory over Berrien, continued to make an impact by drawing four walks against Bacon County. The Jackets’ patience at the plate resulted in nine walks overall, creating additional scoring opportunities.
For the second consecutive day, Briley Reagin went the distance in the circle. Reagin held Bacon County to four hits and two runs, both unearned, over seven innings. She recorded one strikeout and issued three walks. Her performance followed Wednesday’s complete-game victory over Berrien, when she allowed just three hits and one run while striking out six.
Across the Jackets’ first two games in Columbus, Reagin has pitched all 14 innings, allowing just three runs, only one earned. Bacon County’s Altman, Thompson, King, and Johnson each recorded one hit in Thursday’s contest.
Thursday’s matchup carried added significance because of the teams’ regular-season history. Bacon County had defeated Jeff Davis twice earlier in the year, but the Jackets entered the postseason meeting with an opportunity to change that outcome.
Jeff Davis responded with one of its strongest offensive performances of the tournament, scoring 11 runs while limiting Bacon County to two. The victory followed Wednesday’s 7-1 win over Berrien, giving the Jackets two wins in their first two games at Columbus.
Jeff Davis entered the state tournament determined to make a deep postseason run, and the Jackets have continued to deliver.
After sweeping Oglethorpe County in the opening round and Cook County in the second round, Jeff Davis advanced to Columbus for the Elite Eight.
Now, with victories over Berrien and Bacon County, the Jackets have earned their place in the Final Four of the GHSA State Softball Tournament.
The team will continue its pursuit of a state championship as the tournament moves into its next stage.
Congratulations to Head Coach Brooke Wilcox, the coaching staff, and the entire Jeff Davis softball team on this outstanding accomplishment! JD will play Gordon Lee today, October 30 at 3:30.
FINAL FOUR BOUND, JACKETS!
When you’re wearing navy, you’re as good as gold!
