Woodland sweeps Wayne County, advances to Class 5A Elite Eight Tournament

The Woodland softball team punched its ticket to the Elite Eight Tournament of the Class 5A playoffs Tuesday night with a doubleheader sweep of visiting Wayne County.

The sweep, with Woodland winning 7-4 and 18-6, secured their second round, best-of-three series win over the Yellow Jackets.

Game 1

WOODLAND 7, WAYNE COUNTY 4

Dylynn Motes finished Tuesday's doubleheader win over Wayne County with three hits including a double, a three-run home run, and seven RBIs.

In Game 1, Woodland trailed 4-2 heading to the bottom of the fourth but responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 6-4 lead that the Lady Cats would not relinquish.

Pitcher Lainey Baker collected the pitching win for the Wildcats by tossing a five-hit, complete game. The senior walked only one and struck out 16 with over 75 percent of her pitches thrown for strikes.

Baker was also productive at the plate with two hits including one RBI. Jordan Hammonds produced a pair of hits in the opening game win. Dylynn Motes had a fourth inning double with three RBIs that gave Woodland the lead. Michiah Hicks (2 RBIs) and Alana Carnes added one hit apiece. Cassie Jones was credited with one RBI.

Game 2

WOODLAND 18, WAYNE COUNTY 6

Michiah Hicks had five hits including a double and seven RBIs in Game 2 Tuesday night.

In Game 2, Woodland — batting first as visitors — had early leads of 4-0 and 6-3, but the visiting Yellow Jackets scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth to knot the score at 6-all.

The Lady Cats then posted three runs in the fifth and nine more in the top of the seventh to run away with an 18-6 victory.

Woodland out hit Wayne County (6-14) in the nightcap, 21 to nine.

Peyton Dorn (5 IP, 6R, 5ER, 8H, 0BB, 2K) picked up the Wildcats’ pitching win by tossing the first five innings. Lainey Baker (2 IP, 0R, 1H, 0BB, 6K) retired the final six outs to record a save.

Michiah Hicks led the Lady Cats’ offense with five hits including a double and seven RBIs. Cambrie Carrington followed with four hits and two RBIs. Jordan Hammonds (double, three RBIs) and Peyton Dorn (RBI) finished with three hits each. Dylynn Motes had two hits including a three-run home run and four RBIs. Cassie Jones also contributed a pair of hits, a sacrifice fly, and two RBIs. Jessica Ryan added a double and Rylee Massingill tossed in one hit.

Woodland (17-13-2) advances to the double-elimination Elite Eight State Tournament October 28-30 at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus where they will open against Starr’s Mill. The Panthers (16-6) eliminated Jackson County in the second round Tuesday night.