PREP SPORTS NOTEBOOK: Big comeback keep teams alive in softball tournaments

Houston County and Veterans both dug themselves a hole in the second round of the GHSA state softball playoffs, as each stormed back to win two consecutive games and advance to the Elite Eight this week in Columbus.

The Bears dropped Game 1 of their Class-AAAAA series against River Ridge by a 5-2 final, before blowing out their opponent 10-2 and 11-2 in Games 2 and 3 to move on.

Houston County received big three-run home runs from both Caitlyn Davis and Autumn Ring in the finale. The Bears' offense pounded out 11 hits in the contest.

Houston County will face Northside-Columbus at at 4:15 p.m. Thursday. The Bears are one of three teams still alive from region 2-AAAAA, as Greenbrier and Jones County both advanced as well.

Veterans had a much tougher time with its opponent, Gilmer County, in the Class-AAAA second round. The Warhawks were shut out in Game 1 by a 3-0 score, before taking Game 2 9-3 and outlasting the Bobcats 2-0 in a Game 3 contest that took nine innings to decide.

The only senior in a lineup that features six sophomores and a freshman, Avery Lamb was phenomenal in the circle for the Warhawks in the decisive game, throwing a two-hit shutout.

Sophomore Kendyll Foster broke a scoreless tie in the top of the ninth on a two-run double over the head of the Gilmer left-fielder.

Veterans will face North Oconee in its opening game in Columbus, also on Thursday at 4:15 p.m.

Admission is $10 for a day pass at the Columbus Softball Complex.

DEMONS PLAYER CALLAWAY SELECTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS FOOTBALL GAME

Warner Robins High School senior Marquez Callaway was selected for the U.S. Army All-American football game in a ceremony last Tuesday at the school.

Callaway is a standout two-sport athlete for the Demons, also excelling on the basketball court. He is rated as the No. 10 athlete in the nation for the class of 2016 by Scout.com and has scholarship offers from programs such as Georgia, Auburn, Notre Dame and Tennessee.

Five former U.S. Army All-American Bowl participants were selected in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, and the game boasts alumni such as Odell Beckham Jr., Andrew Luck and Jamaal Charles.

The 2016 edition of the game will take place on Jan.9 at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio, Texas. The game will be televised live by NBC at 1 p.m.

This story was originally published October 27, 2015 at 10:33 PM with the headline "PREP SPORTS NOTEBOOK: Big comeback keep teams alive in softball tournaments ."