By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

LAGRANGE – LaGrange Academy’s softball program boasts a proud and winning history, but it has been a few lean years for the softball program.

The Lady Warriors have enjoyed a nice bounce-back season, though, and they’ll look to keep it going today when they go on the road for the opening round of the GISA state tournament.

LaGrange Academy, which finished third in Region 1-AA, will be in Warrenton on Wednesdayto play Briarwood Academy in the first round of the state playoffs.

It’ll be a best-of-three series with a doubleheader today.

If one of the teams win both games the series will be over, but if they split, a third and deciding game would be on Wednesday.

LaGrange Academy had an opportunity to finish second in the region, but it lost a one-game playoff to Flint River.

LaGrange Academy and Flint River split their two regular-season meetings.

While LaGrange Academy has continued to qualify for the state playoffs in recent years, it has been unable to make it past the first round.

“We’ve been going to the state tournament and losing two straight,” said Charles Parker, LaGrange Academy’s long-time coach. “I’d like for us to at least advance one round.”

It’s a young roster that includes a number of eighth-graders who are either starting or getting significant playing time.

The only senior on the team is Reagan Terry, a pitcher and third baseman.

It wasn’t that long ago that the Lady Warriors were one of the state’s elite teams.

LaGrange Academy won the most recent of its five state championships in 2011.

From 2005 to 2011, LaGrange Academy won three state titles, and it finished second two other times.

Parker, who has been at the helm for each of LaGrange Academy’s state titles, believes the program is on the upswing.

“If we can keep this bunch together, and with the middle-school, we’re getting there,” Parker said.

TEAM MEMBERS

Sarah Blair Atkins, Amber Corley, Lanie Lackey, Reagan Terry, Felicity Liechty, Sydney Anderson, Ashley Mains, Megan Allen, Mollie Olinger, Mary James Stogner, Ruthie Kelsey and Annika Bienemuller.