Woodland clinches spot in region championship series

Woodland softball defeated Paulding County Thursday night 4-1 to lock up one of the two spots in the Region 7-AAAAA championship series next week.

Woodland will play Carrollton for the region title and the No. 1 seed in the state playoffs.

The Lady Cats broke open a close game with a three-run fourth inning.

An error put one runner on in the fourth, and after two outs, Morgan Bailey delivered a clutch single to drive home a run. Then, a double by Morgan Cooper was followed by a two-run single from Caroline Higdon to make the score 4-0.

Woodland scored its first run in the first inning, as Ansley Evans singled to lead off the game and Higdon drove her home two at bats later.

Higdon went 2-for-4 with three RBIs in the game. Bailey went 3-for-4 with a run scored. Higdon is now hitting .400 on the season with a county-leading 30 RBIs.

Sarah Baynard picked up the pitching win in the circle, allowing only one, unearned run.

Woodland has won 16 of 18 games and is now 19-6 on the season, 13-2 in region action.

The Lady Wildcats will play their last regular season game Friday at Rome.