The Tift County Lady Devils, the Irwin County Lady Indians and the Worth County Lady Rams softball teams are each just two wins away from getting a chance to play in their respect state championhsip tournaments in Columbus.

After 6-3, 13-3 wins over Bradwell Institute last week, coach Taylor Wilkins’ Lady Devils will be on the road today in Kennesaw to face the Harrison Lady Hoyas, ranked 10th in the latest Class AAAAA coaches poll.

Harrison earned the right to make it to the Sweet 16 after defeating Luella last week, 3-0, 10-1.

The best-of-3 series will begin today at 5 p.m. with a doubleheader; if a third game is necessary, it will be played Thursday.

Things were tougher for the Lady Indians of Irwin County High last week as coach Franklin Sumner’s team needed three games to advance to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year.

The Lady Indians defeated Schley County, 4-0, in the first game of the opening round, but fell, 13-11, in game two. Irwin got their ticket to the next round by winning the deciding game, 15-10.

That game saw Jakedira Pruitt lead the Lady Indians with a 4-for-4 performance that included three RBIs, a double and a home run.

Savanna Wright also had three hits and three RBIs, while Chasity Golden, Maegan Aldridge and Kenslee Moore each added two hits apiece.

Irwin will get to host Treutlen County in the next round. A No. 4 seed from Region 3-A, Treutlen upset Seminole County in the first round, 3-0, 9-7. That best-of-3 series will begin today at 4 p.m. in Ocilla.

“We had a good series with Schley County; we hit the ball as good as anyone could hit,” said Sumner. “In the three games we had 45 hits and 15 extra base hits, but our defense went down.

“It is good to be able to return to the Sweet 16 two years in a row. The girls played with a lot of heart and pride. If we continue to hit like we did against Schley, and play a little defense our chances are great to go to the next level.”

A third area team, the Worth County Lady Rams, ranked third in the latest Class AAA state poll, will also have a big series today against Eastside.

Worth advanced with an easy 8-0, 9-1 sweep over Cross Creek, while Eastside swept Mary Persons, 10-2, 3-1. That series will begin today in Sylvester.

A series win by any of the local teams in the Sweet 16 would put them in their state championship tournament, which will begin Oct. 28 in Columbus. That tournament will feature the final eight teams in the state in a double elimination format.