MOULTRIE – With Madison Plymel putting on a final exclamation point, Colquitt County High softball defeated Marietta High 16-5 in six innings Wednesday in Game 1 of their GHSA 7A first-round series at Packer Park.

The Region 1-7A champions for the first time, Colquitt County overcame 10 hits from visiting Marietta. Two of those hits left the yard, but were only solo home runs.

Plymel, the starting catcher, hit a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth to end the contest.

Marietta led 2-0 after its first turn, the Packers countered in their half. The hosts went ahead for good 5-2 in the bottom of the second using two Marietta errors and Abby Plymel’s RBI single.

The Packers led 5-3 after three complete, the third inning Madison and Abby pairing for a caught stealing out.

It was in the fourth inning that coach Chance Pitts called for the squeeze bunt no less than three times. Each time, it was another Colquitt County run. Abeny Thomas brought home Callie Faircloth, then Emily Allegood and Marlie Wingate each bunted with their teammates beating the tag home.

With another Marietta error tacked on, Colquitt led 10-3.

Zoe Adams and Patty Ann Frierson each hit home runs for Marietta. In the bottom of the sixth, Allegood and Kelsey Patel drove in runs before the slam.

Jade Horne pitched all six innings for the Packers getting the win.