This afternoon, in game 1 of the first round of the GHSA 5A Fastpitch Softball State Playoffs, the Golden Lions defeated the Ola Mustangs 7-1 at Ola High School in McDonough.

The Golden Lions struck first in the 3rd inning when Torie Duva '29 singled, stole second base and came around to score on a throwing error. The Mustangs evened the score at 1 in the bottom of the 4th. 

With the game still tied after 7 innings, the game went to extra innings. The Golden Lions offense erupted with 6 runs in the top of the 8th inning thanks to hits from Emery Harris '29, Maya McDaniel '27, Molly McGee '29 and Merrit Gorman '27. 

Relief pitcher Norah Mutic '30 (2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO) set the Mustangs down in order in the bottom half of the 8th to seal the victory for St. Pius X. Pitcher Annabel Terry '29 provided a quality start for the team (5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO). 

The win puts the Golden Lions up 1-0 in the best-of-three series.