Softball playoffs: Banks County sweeps Crawford

HOMER -- The fifth-ranked Banks County softball team swept past Crawford County on Tuesday in the first round of state playoffs.

The Lady Leopards (24-10) blanked Crawford in both contests of a doubleheader, 5-0 and 3-0 to reach the Class AA second round.

Banks County will travel to Rockmart on Friday for its Sweet 16 showdown. Rockmart swept past Lovett in round one, 4-2, 8-0.

This season represents the first time in Banks County fastpitch history that the Lady Leopards have reached state.


-- COMMERCE WINS: The Lady Tigers swept past Mt. Paran in the first round of the Class A tournament on Tuesday, winning both ends of a doubleheader, 6-5, 7-1.

Commerce will travel to take on Eagles Landing Christian Academy in the second round of the Class A playoffs on Friday.

Commerce is the second seed from Region 8-A; ELCA is the top seed from Region 7-A.


-- APALACHEE SWEEPS: The Lady Wildcats took out Alexander, 3-1 and 9-0, in the first round of the Class AAAA softball playoffs on Tuesday in Bethlehem.

Apalachee (15-11) will take on Northwest Whitfield -- which swept North Springs 8-0, 8-0 in the first round -- on Friday in the second round of the tournament.