COLUMBUS — Lanier County defeated Emanuel County Institute 10-7 in eight innings Saturday to win the Class A Division II softball state championship.

The Lady Dawgs completed a 4-0 tournament run with the victory, claiming their second title in three years.

Early scoring sets tone

Senior Sayla Schade delivered an RBI single in the top of the third inning after Anzley Westlake reached on a single and advanced on a passed ball. Schade went 2-for-4 and scored twice in the game, giving Lanier County a 2-0 lead.

Senior Brilee Burkhalter extended the lead to 4-0 with a two-run double. Burkhalter finished with three RBIs and after hitting her 30th home run Thursday.

Emanuel County Institute responded in the bottom of the third with a three-run home run to center field off Lanier County pitch

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