The Rockmart Lady Jackets had an amazing run through 2020, but the season came to a close on Saturday evening and they had to settle for the runner up spot this year in Class AAA softball.

Rockmart faced down Ringgold in the championship round after defeating them to get there on Friday evening in a 7-6 finish in extra innings, but their two games on Saturday didn’t go as planned.

The Lady Jackets were defeated by the Lady Tigers in the first game of the two played on Saturday in a 9-2 finish, and in a final showdown to determine the champion Ringgold took a 7-6 win to take another state title for Class AAA.

Rockmart started the playoffs as a third seed, and Ringgold as a fourth this year in 6-AAA and made a run through the tournament.

In a post on Saturday after the game, Rockmart High School said the following on Facebook:

It’s been a year of tragedy, heartache, pain, joy, overcoming all odds, loving each other, and showing true grit and determination. Coach Luke is a phenomenal coach, but this year the lessons he has taught have been about more than softball. What a true inspiration this coach and his family are to these girls and the Rockmart community. We have cried, we have laughed and we have loved every minute of every game. Some people do not believe in divine intervention, but we see that in every play, every swing of the bat and with every beautiful rainbow. Lady Jackets 2020 State Runner Up

Rockmart finished the season 28-11 with the second place finish in Class AAA in Columbus over the weekend.

Saturday also marked the final two outings for seniors Alexis Teems, Megan Johnson, Emilee Register, and Sarah Beth Frasier.

This marked the latest title run for the Lady Jackets since their 2017 Class AA title win. Rockmart also marked a win over the Cedartown Lady Bulldogs this year in a 5-4 finish.

2020’s playoff run included wins over Lumpkin County, Sandy Creek, Southeast Bulloch and Oconee County before the trio of games played in the championship rounds between Friday and Saturday.