The Union County, Dawson County, Jackson County and Banks County softball teams are each one victory away from clinching a berth in the state tournament after winning on Tuesday in the 8-AA tourney.
Union County and Dawson County each continued their march in the winner's bracket, with the Lady Panthers blanking Jackson County 5-0 in their only game of the day. The Lady Tigers, meanwhile also played just once and won, shutting out Banks County 7-0.
Union County moves on to face Region 8N-AA No. 1 seed Fannin County at 1 p.m. Thursday, while Dawson will take on 8S-AA No. 1 North Oconee at 3 p.m. Thursday -- both games will take place in Blue Ridge and will quench a state tournament berth for the winners.
Also on Tuesday, Jackson County bounced back from its loss to knock out East Hall 11-3 in the double-elimination format. The outcome ended East Hall's season. The Lady Panthers will face the loser of the Dawson-North Oconee game at 7 p.m. Thursday in Blue Ridge. The winner moves on and clinches a state spot; the loser will be eliminated.
Banks County faces a near identical set up after blasting Jefferson 13-3 on Tuesday to stay alive. The outcome ended Jefferson's season and moved the Lady Panthers to a 5 p.m. Thursday battle with the loser of the Fannin County-Union County game.
