MOULTRIE – The Colquitt County softball team defeated defending Class 1A state champion Lanier County 12-8 on Tuesday at Packer Park as the Lady Packers tune up for the Class 6A playoffs that begin next Tuesday.

The Lady Dawgs brought a 18-2 record and a 15-game winning streak to Moultrie and then gave up the most runs that they have all season.

But Lady Packers coach Taylor Barber pointed out that the Lanier players had just returned to school and held their first practice on Monday because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.

The Lady Packers and their boosters collected paper products and other supplies that the Lanier team took back to Lakeland after the game.

“This week has been a lot for them,” Barber said. “Several of their kids still don’t have power.

“Coach (Ben) Davis does a good job over there. He’s got a talented team. I think they have seven kids back from last year’s state championship team. He’s trying to get them back in a routine before next week. They’ll figure it out.”

The Lady Dawgs ran into a group of Lady Packers who have clinched the Region 1-6A championship and are now 10-3 since September 9.

“We didn’t put together a complete game like we did last week,” Barber said. “We didn’t execute some things offensively that we should have.

“But sometimes you’ve just got to find a way.”

In the circle, Colquitt got a solid effort from Lilah Thompson, who allowed seven hits and walked just one.

She had retired 11 Lady Dawgs in a row before Kenlyn Taylor got a one-out bloop double to left in the top of the seventh and Brilee Burkhalter followed with a line drive homer over the center field fence.

But Thompson retired the next two batters on a come-backer and a fly to center to get the win.

Lanier scored two runs in the top of the first and four more in the third to take a 6-3 lead before Thompson settled in.

“She figured it out and did a really, really good job,” Barber said. “She kept finding a way.

“I’m really proud of her for what she did against a really good softball team.”

After Lanier scored a pair of runs in the top of the first, the Lady Packers got three in the bottom of the inning, two of which scored on a two-out single by Kamry Paulk.

After Lanier got four in the top of the third, Colquitt matched in the bottom of the inning to take a 7-6 lead.

RaJayla McBride drove in one run with an infield hit and Peyton Arrington sent two more home with a single to center.

The Lady Packers broke the game open with a four-run fourth.

Three scored on a two-out bases-loaded double by freshman shortstop Allie Eure.

The Lady Packers got 12 hits off three Lanier County pitchers.

McBride, Paulk, Rheygan Harrell and Montana Tatum each had two hits.

Burley added a double and Arrington the two-run single.

The win raised the Lady Packers record to 18-8 as they prepare for a Wednesday trip to Cairo to take on the 14-7 Syrupmaids.

Colquitt defeated Cairo 11-5 on August 12 in Moultrie.

The Lady Packers will close out the regular season with a 5 p.m. Thursday home game against Lowndes.

“I’m really proud of this team,” Barber said. “Yesterday, I told them the goal is 18 wins.

“Tomorrow the goal is 19 and then we’ll see if we can get to 20 before we go to the playoffs.”