The Jeff Davis Yellow Jackets had a busy Saturday on the softball field, picking up a 9-7 victory over GHSA Class 6A Greenbrier before battling back from a four-run deficit against GHSA Class 4A West Laurens in a game that was ultimately suspended because of lightning. The Yellow Jackets finished the day with one win and one game still to be decided, as Jeff Davis and West Laurens were tied 6-6 when play was stopped in the seventh inning. The game will be completed at a later date.
Jeff Davis Tops Greenbrier, 9-7
Jeff Davis put together an impressive offensive performance against Greenbrier, collecting 18 hits on the way to the 9-7 victory. Greenbrier struck first with a run in the opening inning, but Anna Grace Alligood answered with an RBI single to center field to tie the game. Greenbrier regained the advantage in the third and built a 4-1 lead before the Yellow Jackets responded. Jeff Davis rallied in the bottom half of the inning, with Skyden Chaney’s RBI single helping pull the Jackets even at 4-4.
Jeff Davis took control in the fourth when Briley Reagin singled home two runs, putting the Yellow Jackets ahead 6-4. Reagin finished the game with three RBIs, while Mattie Walsh and Alligood collected three hits each. Reagin, Mikelynn Jones, Ava Bohannon, Chaney and Savanna Robinette also had multiple-hit performances as the Yellow Jackets piled up 18 hits as a team.
Alligood went the distance in the circle, allowing seven runs, six earned, on nine hits over seven innings. She recorded eight strikeouts to earn the victory.
Yellow Jackets Rally Before Lightning Halts West Laurens Game
Jeff Davis found itself in a much different situation against West Laurens. The Yellow Jackets took an early 1-0 lead when Savanna Robinette singled home Ava Bohannon in the first inning, but West Laurens responded and eventually built a 5-1 advantage through three innings.
Jeff Davis refused to go away. The Jackets began their comeback in the fifth. Bohannon, Madison Joyce and Robinette each singled during the inning, helping Jeff Davis cut into the deficit. A passed ball brought home one run, Alligood delivered a sacrifice fly, and Reagin added an RBI single as the Yellow Jackets pulled within 5-4.
Jeff Davis completed the comeback in the sixth. After Mattie Walsh reached on an error and Abby Williams singled, Bohannon delivered a double that brought Walsh home and tied the game at 5-5. Bohannon then scored when Joyce reached on an error, giving Jeff Davis its first lead since the opening inning, 6-5.
West Laurens answered in the bottom of the sixth when Thompson hit a solo home run, tying the game at 6-6. Jeff Davis came to bat in the top of the seventh with Alligood at the plate when play was suspended because of lightning. The game remains tied 6-6 and will be completed at a later date.
Saturday’s two games showcased plenty of offense from the Yellow Jackets, but perhaps just as importantly, Jeff Davis showed its ability to respond when facing a deficit. After falling behind by four runs against West Laurens, the Jackets battled all the way back to take the lead before the game was eventually tied and weather brought play to a halt.
Jeff Davis leaves Saturday with a victory over Greenbrier — and some unfinished business with West Laurens.
