COLUMBUS – In a game that was frustratingly reminiscent of an earlier meeting between the two teams, Colquitt County dropped its Class 7A state tournament opener to North Gwinnett 8-0 on Thursday at the South Commons Sports Complex.

The Lady Packers will play a losers bracket game against either Mill Creek or Milton at 3 p.m. Friday in the double-elimination tournament.

The Packers managed just one hit – a single by Laura Hailey Bryan – against North Gwinnett starter Amber Reed, the 2021 state Player of the Year.

Jacey Wetherington, who drew a walk, was the only other Colquitt County base runner.

Reed also had three hits, including a home run and a double, for the Lady Bulldogs, ranked No. 1 in Class 7A.

The game was called in the bottom of fifth inning when North Gwinnett scored four runs for an eight-run lead that invoked the run rule.

The two teams also met back on Sept. 4 in the Buccaneer Bash with North Gwinnett winning that matchup, also by an 8-0 score.

Colquitt managed just one hit in that game was well.

The Lady Packers, the Region 1 champions, are now 25-4.