Lady Leopards halted at Sweet 16

The Banks County Lady Leopards had a good run going for a trip to Columbus that ended just shy of the Elite Eight as Rockmart took the best in a three game series.

In the Sweet 16 competition, Banks faced Rockmart to determine placement in the Elite Eight last Friday.

Rockmart would sweep the Lady Leopards in the first game, Banks rebounded and won the second game to force a third game on Saturday. The winds were blowing in Rockmarts’ favor as the Lady Leopards fell 3-0 to end the postseason.

“We had our chance to go to Columbus, but did not do the small things to win the series,” said coach Dean Goodwin.

Banks County ends the 2009 season with an 8-2 region record finishing as the number two team in 8-AA. Overall, the Lady Leopards finished out 25-12.

Sweet 16
In game one of the Sweet 16 series, Rockmart took the advantage with a 6-0 sweep of Banks County. The Lady Yellow Jackets gained four runs off a handful of mistakes in one inning and would carry the game.

“We had one bad inning, we made a few mistakes, and it cost us four runs,” said Goodwin. “We hit Rockmart’s pitcher hard numerous times but it was right at their defense. That is how it goes some times.”

For more on the three game series with Rockmart, see this week's The Banks County News.