Nikki Freeman heads home to score for the W-W Tiger girls softball team. She hit her third homerun of the year at Jefferson County last week. As of the date of this newspaper, the Washington-Wilkes Lady Tiger softball team's seeding in the post-season has already been determined. But as of this writing, the deciding game is yet to be played and some readers may still be able to see the region championship game being played on Wednesday, October 7, at Ashley Park beginning at 5 p.m.

In a dead heat for the region crown, the Tigers and the GMC Lady Bulldogs will face off in a one-game winner-take-all championship game for all the marbles. The winner will enjoy a No. 1 seed in the first round of the state playoffs and the loser will get the No. 2 spot. However, the good news is that win or lose, the Tigers will be hosting their first post-season game at Ashley Park on Tuesday, October 13.

The state playoff format will be a best 2-out-of-3 series with doubleheaders played on the first day of competition and a deciding game, if necessary, played the following day. Round two of the playoffs will begin on Friday, October 16.

The Lady Tigers spent the past week on the road and remained undefeated in region play with a 6-2 win over Lincoln County last Wednesday, September 30. Only AAA Franklin County was able to best the Tigers, handing them their third loss of the season. W-W beat Jefferson County in the first game of the week.

At Franklin County, the ladies suffered a 1-9 loss but avoided a shutout with a single run in the first inning. Yakira Banks was hit by a pitch. Then, a two-out double by Ashley West drove Banks in for the Tigers' only score of the game. After that, W-W left six runners in scoring position and were unable to get anything more going on offense.

Lauren Chafin absorbed the loss for the Tigers. Hitters were Gabby Lavender (1-3), Banks (1-2, 2b), and West (1-3, 2b).

At Lincoln County, the Tigers came away with a 6-2 win. The ladies jumped out to a 5-2 lead after three innings of play and collected a single run in the sixth to cap off the win.

Hitters for the Tigers were Nikki Freeman (2-4, 2b), Hannah Ward (1-3), Banks (2-4), and Lavender (1-4). Cayla Gilland picked up the win on the mound for the Tigers.

On Tuesday, September 29, the Tigers traveled to Jefferson County and beat the Warriors 14-1. W-W collected seven extrabase hits including a homerun from Nikki Freeman, her third of the year.

Other hitters for the Tigers were Lauren Harrison (1-3, 2b), Hanna McTier (1-1, 2b), Alaina Weber (1-2), Banks (2-4, 2b), Lavender (1-4, 3b), Freeman (3-4, 2x2b, hr), West (1-3), and Chafin (2-3). Cayla Gilland picked up the win for the Tigers.