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Softball: Previews of the first round of the state playoffs
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North Forsyth's Mallorie Black crosses home plate during a region tournament game against South Forsyth. - photo by Lily McGregor Photography
Shiloh at North Forsyth

When: Tuesday, 5 and 7 p.m.; Wednesday, 5 p.m. if necessary

Records: North is 15-13, 7-3 in Region 5-7A; Shiloh is 9-10, 4-6 in Region 8-7A.

What to know: After a crowded region race with Central and South, North came out of the scuffle on top of the standings to secure the No. 1 seed in the region tournament, mainly behind a powerful offense led by Georgia Tech commit Mallorie Black that has scored a region-high 190 runs. That formula continued to pay dividends for the Raiders in the region tournament, as they swept South to claim the region’s No. 1 seed heading into the state playoffs. North certainly looks to have the advantage against Shiloh, as the Generals have allowed seven or more runs in five of their last six games.

What’s next: The winner will face Parkview or North Gwinnett.

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South Forsyth's Makenna Segal has been one of the region's most fearsome hitters this year, and her production could be key to a War Eagles playoff run. - photo by Ian Frazer
 

Newton at South Forsyth

When: Tuesday, 5 and 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 5 p.m. if necessary

Records: South is 10-14, 6-4 in Region 5-7A; Newton is 15-9, 6-4 in Region 8-7A.

What to Know: South may have clinched the No. 2 seed out of Region 5-7A, but they’ve done so while stumbling as of late. The War Eagles are currently on a five-game losing skid, which included a 12-11 loss to North in the Region 5-7A tournament, in which they gave up a 9-0 lead. Still, with one of the region’s best pitchers in Lauren Baccari and one of its most feared hitters in Makenna Segal, South can’t be counted out just yet.

What’s Next:  The winner will face Lakeside-DeKalb or Mill Creek.

 

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Forsyth Central at Archer

When: Tuesday, 5 and 7 p.m.; Wednesday, 5 p.m. if necessary

Records: Central is 15-9, 6-4 in Region 5-7A; Archer is 18-8, 9-4 in Region 8-7A.

What to know: The Bulldogs’ fortunes have thrived behind the left arm of Bailey McCachren this season. She compiled a 1.28 ERA over 87.2 innings in the circle during her junior year, and Central will need her to be at the top of her game if they’re to have a chance against Region 8-7A runner-up Archer. That’s not to say that the Bulldogs have been short of hitting – McCachren, Sydney Moroney and Ansley Clark have led the team with .333, .369 and .356 averages this year. They’ll need to be strong on both counts against the Tigers, though, who have allowed just over three runs a game this year while averaging over seven.

What’s next: The winner will face Mountain View or Brookwood.

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Forsyth Central's Kendall Maynard slides under the tag of West Forsyth's Ashley Schell during the Bulldogs' region tournament game against the Wolverines on Oct. 3, 2018 at North Forsyth High School. - photo by Ian Frazer
 

West Forsyth at Grayson

When:  Tuesday, 5 and 7 p.m.; Wednesday, 6 p.m. if necessary

Records: West is 16-14, 7-5 in Region 5-7A; Grayson is 25-2, 12-1 in Region 8-7A.

What to know: Despite the amount of seniors returning for the Wolverines this year, they were not able to put together the kind of steps forward at the plate that they were hoping for. That was certainly true for the final stretch of the regular season -- West was shut out four times in the month of September. The Wolverines were able to beat Milton and Lambert in the Region 5-7A tournament to make the playoffs, but as a No. 4 seed, their challenge in the first round will be a daunting one – the Rams have been remarkably solid and consistent this season.

What’s next: The winner will face Collins Hill or Norcross.