DACULA, GA. - Today's region match up between the Hebron Christian Academy softball team and Prince Avenue Christian may be the most anticipated in Georgia Class 2A. Leading up to the neck-and-neck series, the two state powers are leading in the classification's polls, the Wolverines at No. 1, with the Lions in the No. 2 spot (MaxPreps). Both are currently 16-1.
While the Lions and Wolverines are separated by 26 miles, the two squads have quite the recent history. Over the last four contests, the Prince has taken three victories, and one region title. However, the Lions secured the most recent victory, which gave the Wolverines their first loss in last year's state tournament. Prince went on to lose its next postseason bout to Wesleyan, falling out of the tournament, while Hebron went on to the state title series.
If history remains consistent, today's match up should be another close battle. Of the last four games, the winner has been decided by one run in two of those, with Prince winning the third 5-2, and the Lions returning the favor in the fourth 6-0.
"Heading into Prince, we hope that we come out on fire, we hope that we come out and do what we do [and] just focus on us," head coach Brittany Lewis said. "We always seem to hype that game up a little too much in our minds sometimes, that hurts us. So. We're just trying to focus on us."
The Lions have certainly been focused on themselves, rather than incoming competition lately. Outside of the lone loss to Loganville earlier this month (9-8), Hebron is averaging a run differential of 7.5 across its 16 wins. Since losing to Loganville, which ended an 11-game winning streak, the Lions have won five-straight. Over those five games, the Lions are averaging just over eight runs per game, while batting .443.
Senior catcher and Wofford commit Brittyn Sissom has been on fire during the Lions' new streak, batting .433 with six runs-batted-in, two doubles and a home run.
Alongside Sissom, sophomore shortstop has been blazing hot at the plate. She's sporting a .516 batting average over the last five games, reaching base on eight hits, including three home runs. She's also driven in eight runs, while scoring seven.
In the circle, sophomore ace has continued to anchor the Lions defense. The righty is 13-1 on the season and sporting a 2.40 earned-run-average (ERA) with 121 strikeouts. Junior pitcher/outfielder Ainsley Trenbeath has supported Kennedy well, giving 19.1 innings of work with a 2-0 record and a 3.62 ERA.
The Wolverines have been just as hot, and are currently riding a 15-game winning streak, after falling to Monroe Area in August. In that span, Prince is averaging a 7.8 run differential.
This first of two match ups should be exciting for both teams, this one being hosted by the Lions at Cole Complex, and the second set to be in Bogart in October.
First pitch for tonight is set for 5:30 p.m.
