DALTON, Ga. (WRCB) -- Jamison Payne hit a walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to move Northwest Whitfield within one win of a Region 7-AAAA tournament title with a 3-2 win over rival Heritage in the winner's bracket final at Heritage Point Park.
Payne's walk-off brought the fence down, literally. Generals' outfielder Allison Walker nearly caught the two-out fly before crashing into the temporary fence and knocking it down.
It was the third win in as many tries for the top-ranked Lady Bruins (27-3) over the third-ranked Generals (23-4-1). The two may meet again in Thursday's championship game if Heritage can get past upstart Dalton in the loser's bracket final.
The Lady Catamounts (13-16), who finished last in their sub-region during the regular season, beat Cass 3-0 in an elimination game to clinch one of 7-AAAA's four spots in next week's Class AAAA state tournament. Dalton then topped Cedartown 3-1 to earn a date with the Generals.
Allie Blackwood pitched both games, including a three-hit shutout against the Colonels, and added two doubles and a homer against Cedartown.
Cedartown will be the region's fourth state playoff representative.
Other high school softball scores from Wednesday, October 4:
Region 7-AAA Tournament
Ringgold 7, Sonoraville 0 (Ringgold clinches spot in AAA playoffs)
Region 6-A Tournament
Gordon Lee 8, Mt. Zion 0 (Gordon Lee clinches spot in Class A playoffs)
Mt. Pisgah 11, Darlington 3
Mt. Pisgah 8, Trion 0
