Lady Devils edge Lowndes

VALDOSTA -- With a 2-0 victory over the Lowndes High Vikettes, the Tift County Lady Devils softball team put itself into a position Thursday night to clinch its' first Region 1-AAAAA fast-pitch softball championship in the history of the school.

Tift is now 7-0 in the league and 18-2 overall. Lowndes is in second place in the region with the Vikettes' only two losses coming to Tift. The Lady Devils close out the regular season next week with three games against Colquitt, Valdosta and Houston County. A win in any of those games would give Tift the league title as the Lady Devils' would hold the tie-breaker over Lowndes.

A simple combination won Thursday's game for the Lady Devils, according to head coach Ivey Vickers.

"We got good pitching, some good defense and some timely hitting. It was a total team effort," said Vickers.

Tift jumped out early with a run in the second inning.

With one out Ivy Gartman walked on a 3-2 count. She left the game as courtesy runner Katy Hornback came into run in her place.

Hornback would then score as Nikki Bromlow hit a double off the centerfielder's glove.

"Gartman getting on was big and Bromlow's hit was a big one. Hornback also did a good job of running the bases," said Vickers.

The Lady Devils then got an insurance run in the sixth.

Janna Shiver hit a double to left-centerfield to begin the frame. She was then sacrificed to second by Imesha Wells. Jill Dunn then hit a ball to the third baseman. Shiver came in to score as the third baseman threw out Dunn.

"That was a big run. That was a big play for Jill to get it in," Vickers said.

Besides the key double, Shiver again also stood out on the pitcher's mound. The junior gave up three hits, struck out 10 and walked one.

"As usual, Janna did a good job on the hill," Vickers said.

Gartman was 2-for-2 at the plate. Shiver, Bromlow and Monique Jordan got the other hits for the Lady Devils.

Besides setting up Tift to win a possible region title, the win Thursday gave the Lady Devils two victories over the Vikettes on the region schedule. Before this season, Lowndes had not lost a region fast-pitch softball game.

"That says a lot for these girls. They have worked hard and I am glad they are being rewarded for it," Vickers said.

Tift will be at home Monday to face Colquitt County at 5 p.m.