After a pair of impressive runs through the playoffs, both Southeast Bulloch and Bryan County saw their softball seasons come to an end Friday afternoon in Columbus at the GHSA Elite Eight.
    Both teams lost their opening games Thursday, but got off to a good start in their second day. Answering the early wakeup call, the Lady Yellow Jackets (23-9-2) defeated Brantley County 7-2 in their 9 a.m. game while the Lady Redskins (31-9) demolished Brookstone by a 9-0 count.
    But that’s where both teams’ luck came to an end.
    In it’s 1 p.m. game, the Jackets were overpowered 9-0 by Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe. Bryan County went down in a heartbreaker as it battled George Walton Academy into the seventh inning deadlocked at 4-4, only to see the Lady Bulldogs push across the game-winner in walk-off fashion.
    As the second loss for both squads, both were knocked out of the double elimination tournament.
    For Bryan County, the elimination marks the end of a great three year run. The Redskins’ senior class of nine reached the Elite Eight on all three occasions, notching a fourth place finish last season.
    Tiffany Howard — Bryan’s pitching ace and top threat at the plate — is one of a few favorites to be named Class-A Player of the Year.
    While SEB is also done for the winter, there is much reason to believe that better days are still ahead. The Jackets lose just two seniors and Sierra Peebles — who has quickly risen as one of the best pitchers in Class-AA – still has three more seasons on the mound for SEB.

    Mike Anthony can be reached at (912) 489-9404.