Chamblee's Mary Axelson was big at the plate (6-6 on the day with 7 RBI), but also made plays in the field like this nice stretch covering first on a bunt from her second base position. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Chamblee’s Mary Axelson was big at the plate (6-6 on the day with 7 RBI), but also made plays in the field like this nice stretch covering first on a bunt from her second base position. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Chamblee opened the Class 5A Fast Pitch Softball State Playoffs with a convincing sweep of Clarke Central with wins of 10-0 and 17-4 in the best-of-three series at Chamblee on Tuesday.

The Lady Bulldogs (18-6) got big production at the plate from seniors Mary Axelson and Rachel Lovejoy as the pair combined for a 10-12 day at the plate with 14 RBI, 11 runs scored and three homeruns.

Axelson went 3-3 at the plate in the opening game 10-0 victory including a big two-run double in the first inning to key a 5-0 Chamblee lead after just one inning of play.

Lovejoy had a RBI single in the big first inning and Grace Brown drove in Axelson on a ground out to short.

Chamblee pitcher Margaret Axelson faced the minimum of 12 batters over the first four innings with the aid of a double-play in the first to erase the only runner she allowed during the span.

Brown drove in another run in the third and Ansley Mepham followed with a triple to plate Brown as the Lady Bulldogs scored three more runs to extend the lead to 8-0. McKenzie Folsom grounded out to score Mepham.

Mary Axelson completed her 3-3 game with four RBI as she singled to score Anna Burk and Lovejoy (doubled) to make the final of 10-0.

Clarke Central’s Kiera Foster broke up Margaret Axelson’s no-hit bid with a single to start off the fifth, but she would work out of the two-on with nobody out with a pair of strikeouts and a groundout to end the game.

Lovejoy was 2-3 with two RBI and scored two runs and Anna Burk was 2-2 with a walk and also crossed the plate twice.

The second game’s 17-run outburst by the Lady Bulldogs was again fueled by Lovejoy and Mary Axelson.

Playing as the visiting team in the second game, Chamblee broke out for four runs in the first inning as Lovejoy followed Anna Burk’s RBI double with an inside-the-park homerun down the right field line. Axelson tripled to left and scored on Mepham’s RBI single to left.

Clarke Central (5-19) answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first on a RBI fielder’s choice by Foster and a RBI single by Imani Sykes to cut the lead to 4-2.

Lovejoy and Axelson again powered a five-run inning by Chamblee in the top of the second. Lovejoy cranked a three-run homer over the left field fence and Axelson added a solo shot to almost the same spot as the pair went back-to-back with homeruns.

Chamblee's Anna Burk (left) hangs on to the base as she slides in with a steal. Clarke Central's Za'mya Sims (3) could not come up with the low throw. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Chamblee’s Anna Burk (left) hangs on to the base as she slides in with a steal. Clarke Central’s Za’mya Sims (3) could not come up with the low throw. (Photo by Mark Brock)

Chamblee expanded the 9-2 lead in the third inning as Mepham and Grace Fazzone contributed RBI along with Lovejoy and Axelson to make it 13-2.

The Lady Gladiators picked up two runs in the bottom of the third on RBI by Foster and Sykes again to make it 13-4.

Axelson, Brown and Molly Silverman all drove in a run apiece as Chamblee extended the lead to 17-4.

Mary Axelson finished 3-3 again with three RBI, a homerun, a sacrifice fly and three runs scored to lead Chamblee. Lovejoy went 2-3 with six RBI, two homeruns and scored four runs. Grace Brown was 2-3 (1 RBI), Ansley Mepham 3-4 (2 RBI) and Molly Silverman was 2-2 (1 RBI).

Imani Sykes was 2-2 with two RBI to lead Clarke Central.

Chamblee moves on to host Villa Rica, a 9-0, 13-0 winner over Riverwood, in the second round next week with a day and time to be announced.

In other Class 5A state playoff action, Miller Grove (9-10) was eliminated by Loganville (23-8) by scores of 10-0 and 14-1 in their best-of-three series at Loganville on Tuesday.

Class 7A
Mill Creek (24-3) ended the Lakeside Lady Vikings’ season with a sweep of their Class 7A best-of-three series at Mill Creek, the Region 6 champ. Lakeside (4-14) fell 17-0 and 18-0.

Class 6A
In Tuesday Class 6A state playoff action, Stephenson and Dunwoody were both swept in their best-of-three series.

Stephenson (14-10) fell on the road 19-2 and 17-0 to Region 1 champ Lee County (20-11). Dunwoody (19-10) dropped its two games 11-0 and 3-0 to Region 6 runner-up Harrison (23-10).

2018 Region 4-6A Champions – Martin Luther King Jr. Lions

Arabia Mountain (5A), Southwest DeKalb (5A) and Cedar Grove (3A) are all scheduled to play today weather permitting.

Arabia Mountain (10-13) plays host to Region 8 No. 3 Walnut Grove (15-14) in their Class 5A opening round matchup. Games begin today (Wednesday) at 2:00 pm with a third game, if necessary, on Thursday at 4:00 pm.

Southwest DeKalb (14-8) travels to Region 8 No. 2 Buford (13-10) for a 4:00 pm doubleheader today with the third game, if necessary, set for Thursday at 4:00 pm.

Cedar Grove (7-9) goes on the road to Region 8 champ Jefferson (23-6) for a doubleheader set for 5:00 pm today. The third game, if needed, is set for 5:30 pm on Thursday.

The Region 4-6A champions Martin Luther King Jr. Lions (10-4) are set to host a Friday doubleheader at 2:00 pm against Region 1 No. 4 Northside of Warner Robins (11-15). The third game, if needed, would be on Saturday at 4:00 pm.

DCSD SOFTBALL STATE PLAYOFFS RESULTS
Tuesday, Oct. 9
Class 7A
Mill Creek 17, 18, Lakeside 0, 0
Mill Creek wins series 2-0

Class 6A
Lee County 19, 17, Stephenson 2, 0
Lee County wins series 2-0

Harrison 11, 3, Dunwoody 0, 0
Harrison wins series 2-0

Class 5A
Chamblee 10, 17, Clarke Central 0, 4
Chamblee wins series 2-0

Loganville 10, 14, Miller Grove 0, 1
Loganville wins series 2-0

DCSD SOFTBALL STATE PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE
Friday, Oct. 12 (rescheduled due to rain)
Class 6A
Northside-Warner Robins at M.L. King Jr., 2:00 pm doubleheader

Class 5A
Walnut Grove at Arabia Mountain, 2:00 pm, doubleheader
Walnut Grove won first game 12-0, second game rained out
Third game if necessary at 4:00 pm

SW DeKalb at Buford, 2:00 pm, doubleheader

Class 3A
Cedar Grove at Jefferson, 3:00 pm doubleheader

Saturday, Oct. 13
Class 6A
Northside-Warner Robins at M.L. King Jr., TBA, if needed

Class 5A
SW DeKalb at Buford, TBA, if needed

Class 3A
Cedar Grove at Jefferson, TBA, if needed