Ridgeland

Ketner, Sizemore, and Tori Townson each had singles in the loss.

Ridgeland returned to Dalton on Tuesday night got the only run they would need in the bottom of the first inning to beat Cass, 1-0, and secure a state berth.

Facing 7A-AAAA Pitcher of the Year Courtney Bailey, Ketner led off with a single, but was forced out at second on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Epperson.

After Haley Johnson went down on strikes for out two, Epperson swiped second and scored as Cass misplayed a ball off the bat of Townson.

Wallin made the run stand up with a dazzling two-hit, seven-strikeout performance. Wallin walked one batter and hit another in the win. Johnson also had a triple in the victory. Amy Hill was 2-for-2, while Sizemore and Whittington had one hit each.

In what turned out to be their final tournament game, a pair of tworun doubles by Johnson and Sizemore staked the Lady Panthers to a 5-3 lead going into the bottom of the fourth against River Ridge.

However, the Lady Knights used a Ridgeland error to plate a run in the bottom of the inning, and two Ridgeland errors in the sixth to take the lead. The Lady Panthers would load the bases with two out in the top of the seventh, but a final out left them stranded.

Epperson had three hits. Ketner and Ally Johnson each went 2-for3, while Arthur had one hit. Wallin struck out two and gave up 11 hits to take the loss.

“The girls really wanted to come back out and beat River Ridge,” Wood added. “It’s been a good season so far, but we’re not ready to quit playing yet.”

Ridgeland will open the state tournament on the road against Region 5 champion Columbus at 4:30 on Wednesday with the first two games of the best-of-three series. A third game, if needed, will be played Thursday.

River Ridge will play at Alexander. Northwest Whitfield will host LaGrange and Heritage will host Carrollton.

Heritage won the region title with an 8-7, eight-inning win over Northwest on Saturday.