OCILLA — Irwin County advanced to the GHSA Class A Division II softball Elite Eight Tuesday night with a dominant 15-1 victory over Bryan County in game two of their playoff series.

The Lady Indians, who blanked Bryan County 9-0 in game one, completed the sweep with an offensive explosion that produced 15 runs on 17 hits in just four innings.

Senior Sailor Mixon led the hitting attack, going 3-for-3 with four RBIs and four runs scored. Mixon singled up the middle to start the game before later hitting a ball down the left field line that brought in two more runs.

Irwin County’s offensive barrage

Lyla Moore doubled to the fence with bases loaded, giving Irwin County a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Brooklyn Gordon added a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0 after one inning.

The Lady Indians added more runs in the second inning. Brynlee Brown recorded three hits of her own to extend the lead to 6-0. Mollie Pratt joined the hitting barrage as six different players recorded multiple hits in the game.

Irwin County has not lost since August 19. The Lady Indians will represent South Georgia in the Elite Eight along with Lanier County, Baconton and Wilcox County. State tournament play begins next week.

Tift County’s season ends

Tift County’s season came to an end Tuesday night with a loss to Brookwood in the decisive game three of their playoff series. The Blue Devils finished 22-6, marking their most wins since 2013.

After splitting games on Monday night, Tift County trailed 2-0 early in the deciding game. Morgan Brey doubled to the fence on the first pitch she saw, recording one of her two hits.

Ella Bruce, a Valdosta State commit, delivered an RBI double to cut the lead to one. Bruce finished with four RBIs in the series. Cora Beth McCrary tied the game at 2-2 with four hits over the three games.

Back-and-forth battle

Trailing by a run in the bottom of the second inning, Brey reached base when the ball came off the glove of the second baseman. Jaylin McCant scored easily to tie the game again.

Bruce gave Tift County their first lead of the game with a sacrifice fly to right field, making it 4-3. The teams were tied 4-4 in the top of the sixth when Brookwood’s Navarra flared a hit into shallow center field to recapture the lead.

Senior pitcher Lily Robinson threw 310 pitches over three games in two days, repeatedly getting out of difficult situations to keep the game close.

Down to their final out and trailing by one run, McCrary kept hope alive by reaching base. But Hanna Grace Murphy flew out to right field to end the game and Tift County’s season.

Four more South Georgia teams will be in playoff action Wednesday: Crisp County, Cook, Cairo and Thomasville.

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