Newnan High claims softball 6A state title; EC, Northgate fall just short
Pictured above is the Newnan Cougars Girls Fast-pitch Softball squad after capturing the GHSA 6A State Championship on Saturday in Columbus. (GHSA Photo)
From Staff Reports
The Newnan Cougars got remarkable pitching and timely hitting to capture the GHSA Fast Pitch Softball 6A State Championship on Saturday in Columbus.
The Cougars swept all four games in the Elite Eight event and blanked Pope, 1-0, yesterday to claim the title. Preston Ivey got the game-winning RBI single in the third inning and pitcher Maddie Veal tossed a complete game shutout as Newnan earned its first state fast-pitch softball title.
Newnan, 27-7 overall, did not allow a single run in its four-game Elite Eight title chase, blanking Grovetown, 3-0; South Effingham, 5-0; and River Ridge, 4-0 leading up to the state title game. In fact, the Cougars did not allow a single run its entire path through the playoffs with shutouts over Shiloh, 8-0; Etowah, 3-0; and Blessed Trinity, 4-0 to advance to the Elite Eight.
Not to be outdone, Coweta County can surely be proud of two other teams – East Coweta and Northgate – which lost in Saturday’s State Championship Games in 7A and 5A, respectively.
East Coweta went 3-2 in the Elite Eight before falling to defending 7A champion Buford, 9-1 in the finals. ECHS finished the year at 32-5 falling just short of its 4th State title.
And Northgate posted a 4-2 mark in the Elite Eight tournament before losing to the defending 5A champ Northside-Columbus, 7-1. Northgate ended its season at 23-13 and as the Vikings were trying for their third state crown.
Below are the game-by-game results from the 2023 GHSA Girls Fast-Pitch State Tournament.
CLASS 7A STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
East Coweta defeated North Gwinnett, 8-0 on Oct. 25
East Coweta defeated Brookwood, 4-3 on Oct. 26
East Coweta lost to Buford, 3-2 on Oct. 27
East Coweta defeated Brookwood, 9-1 on Oct. 28
East Coweta lost to Buford, 9-1 in 7A State Championship Game
CLASS 6A STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Newnan defeated Grovetown, 3-0 on Oct. 25
Newnan defeated South Effingham, 5-0 on Oct. 26
Newnan defeated River Ridge, 4-0 on Oct. 27
Newnan defeated Pope, 1-0 on Oct. 28 to win 6A State Championship
CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
Northgate defeated Eastside, 3-1 on Oct. 25
Northgate lost to Northside-Columbus, 8-0 on Oct. 26
Northgate defeated Cambridge, 9-6 on Oct. 27
Northgate defeated Kell, 13-1 on Oct. 27
Northgate defeated Harris County, 10-1 on Oct. 28
Northgate lost to Northside-Columbus, 7-1 on Oct. 28 in 5A State Championship Game
