If there's one thing we can all agree on, it's that nothing feels quite as good as a full night's sleep. When you sleep well, it sets the tone for the rest of your day. You wake up feeling refreshed and ready to go. It's almost like the world knows when you sleep well: your morning coffee hits just right, the sun shines just a little brighter, and you've got a little extra pep in your step.
Your friends and colleagues may notice, too, especially if good sleep is becoming a foreign concept for you. If it is, you're not alone - according to the CDC, people around the U.S. are in need of some serious zzzz's - more than 1 in 3 Americans aren't getting enough sleep. Perhaps even more shocking is that 40% of people fall asleep during the day once a month, according to the National Institutes of Health. Experts agree that most folks should get at least seven hours of sleep a night, but in reality, most Americans struggle to get five or six.
While some ultra-rich CEOs claim they only need a few hours of sleep a night, that's not true for most people. In fact, your body and brain will hate you if you're not getting enough shuteye. If you're feeling sluggish, unmotivated, snappy, achy, sick, or just down in the dumps, you may not be getting enough sleep. And it may not be your fault - that old, dilapidated innerspring mattress that you're sleeping on may be the true culprit.
Fortunately, Sleep King is here to help you get on the fast track to falling asleep with the ultimate comfort of MLILY mattresses Near Me Columbus, GA.
Change can be challenging, but if you had the opportunity to boost your immune system, improve heart health, and increase productivity levels by ditching your old mattress, would you take it? If you're reading this page, you're probably nodding your head with a resounding "Yes!" And that's great because, at Sleep King, our mission is to provide you with the most comfortable, supportive mattresses in the industry: MLILY mattresses.
Unlike other mattress companies, we offer the lowest prices on MLILY mattresses Near Me Columbus, GA - even lower than you can find on Amazon! Though we're locally owned and operated right here in beautiful South Carolina, we have the ability to ship these revolutionary mattresses anywhere in the U.S. So, if you're craving the comfort and support of an MLILY mattress, but live in Maryland, don't lose hope. A great night's sleep is available for you too.
With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and hundreds of positive reviews on Google and other platforms, we're Columbus's first choice when it comes to great sleep. Here are some of the most common reasons why our customers choose Sleep King over the competition:
Not sure why type of mattress is best for your body and sleeping style? Our knowledgeable, friendly mattress experts would be happy to help you get started on a better night's sleep. Why not swing by our showroom and check out our wide selection of MLILY mattresses? If your traditional innerspring setup is cutting into your sleep or even hurting your back, it's time to upgrade. After all, in a perfect world, you're spending 7-8 hours a night on your mattress, and you should get the best product for the price.
When you rest on an MLILY mattress, you experience a cooler, deeper, more restorative sleep, so you can enjoy tomorrow to the fullest. Though MLILY is a global company, their local mattresses are made right here in the U.S., in facilities located in Arizona and South Carolina. Unlike many innerspring mattresses, MLILY mattresses are designed for a more supportive sleep while wicking away moisture and fighting off-putting odors.
While many large, mainstream brands you see on TV are built using outdated technologies, MLILY mattress and pillow products are produced using proprietary machinery built exclusively for MLILY. This machine uses precise cutting technology, ensuring that your mattress is the right size for your body and the right price for your budget. Plus, without ozone depletes, lead, mercury, or heavy metals, MLILY foams are manufactured to be safe for you, your spouse, kids, pets, and the environment. It doesn't get much better than that!
At Sleep King, we offer a number of different MLILY mattresses, including:
These specialty foams give you superior sleeping support, long-lasting durability for years of sleep, and rejuvenating comfort to keep you rested and ready for the day.
These unique mattresses feature individually pocketed springs that transform traditional innerspring mattresses into a whole new level of comfort and rest.
Kids need great sleep too! This collection includes happy designs and endless flexibility, creating the perfect foundation for families to create memorable bedtime memories.
This fan-powered sleep system lets you experience sleep like never before, keeping you cool on even the hottest nights.
Have questions about MLILY mattresses? Contact Sleep King today or simply stop by our showroom to get the full rundown of this incredible brand. Whether you're a side sleeper with spine problems or a back sleeper not getting enough sleep, there's an MLILY mattress Near Me Columbus, GA that can help. Remember, at Sleep King, we sell MLILY mattresses at a deep discount, so you can get a good night's rest without going into debt.
Take a moment and think about all the different things that have happened in your life over the last decade. Maybe you graduated college or got the job of your dreams. Perhaps you got married or moved to a new home in a new state. But if you're like the average person, one thing remained the same: your mattress. It might be surprising to hear, but the average lifespan of a mattress is between seven and ten years.
Letting go of your old, worn-out mattress might be hard, especially if it's served you well over time. As with most products, however, nothing lasts forever. But how do you know when it's time to ditch your old bed and choose a new MLILY mattress in , GA? Here are just a few of the most common reasons that customers tell us when it comes to buying a new bed.
Is your mattress starting to smell less like roses and more like the dirty socks in your hamper? When your mattress gets smelly, it's most often a result of mold, fungi, and mildew buildup over time. There's not too much you can do to avoid this from happening, especially if you live in a humid climate. So, the next time you change your sheets, give your mattress a sniff. If it smells funky, it's time to upgrade.
If your mattress has a noticeable sag, it's a surefire sign that you need to get a new mattress. Mattresses sag because, over time, coils begin to weaken, and memory foam loses elasticity. If you lay down on your bed for a moment, get up, and your bed sags instead of returning to its original appearance, your mattress is nearing the end of its life.
Waking up in pain is basically the an thesis of what a mattress is supposed to do. Due to wear and tear over time, even the best mattresses lose their ability to support your body. If you've been waking up with dull aches and pains in your hips, lower back, or shoulders, it's a red flag. Finding a comfortable, supportive mattress like an MLILY Fusion Lux is of utmost importance.
Constantly moving side-to-side or switching positions in the middle of the night is a great way to get your partner angry. It's also a big sign that you need to consider buying a new mattress. Like the supportiveness of our mattresses, general comfortability also lessens with usage and time. Here's the truth: You shouldn't need to toss and turn to get comfortable in your bed. If you are, your mattress has probably declined in quality and needs replacing. You shouldn't ever have to put your sleep health on the line for an uncomfortable mattress.
It might sound obvious, but the #1 reason why people choose to buy a new mattress is to get better sleep. Sleep, in and of itself, is a bit of a mystery - somehow, our bodies just know when it's time to clock out for the day and go to sleep. But if you've been sleeping on a poor quality or dilapidated mattress for long enough, you might have become used to the feeling of lackluster sleep. If that sounds like you, we're here to tell you that you're missing out.
Getting a great night's rest is one of life's little pleasures, but according to experts, it's also much more than that. If you swear by limiting your sleep to be more "productive," you may be doing yourself a disservice.
When you don't get enough sleep on a regular basis, it can lead to serious heart issues like high blood pressure and even heart attacks. Why? Because poor sleep causes your body to release cortisol. This stress hormone causes your heart to work harder. That's great in some situations, but long stretches of poor sleep are quite bad for your heart. Like other parts of your body, your heart needs to rest in order to function correctly.
Getting a cold is never fun. But if it feels like someone slapped your head with an anvil when you get the sniffles, you may need better sleep. When you get great sleep, the proteins and immune cells in your body have a better chance of fighting off things like the common cold and flu. Your immune system also helps mitigate symptoms like runny noses, congestion, headaches, and more. Without the right sleep, symptoms from colds and cases of flu will be much worse.
Do you roll out of bed and feel like Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh? You're probably not getting great sleep. When you sleep well, you wake up in the morning feeling refreshed and ready to attack the day. Your energy levels are high, making life's little annoyances more manageable. And when you're not annoyed, you're typically not angry. When you're not angry, you're only a half-step away from being happy. So, put on our PJs and get to bed early on an MLILY mattress in , GA. Your friends and family will thank you!
Earlier, we mentioned how some people purposely lose sleep so that they can be more productive. On the surface, that makes some sense since you have more hours in the day to dedicate to work. However, burning the midnight oil again and again is a bad idea. Eventually, you'll start making mistakes that an afternoon pot of coffee won't fix. Instead of cutting your sleep short, try getting more. Studies show that great sleep is linked to higher cognitive function and improved concentration. If you're not purposely limiting your sleep, it's time to ditch that old mattress and swing by Sleep King.
Getting eight or more hours of sleep doesn't mean you're going to lose lbs. overnight. But getting better sleep can seriously help with your diet or weight loss goals. When you get poor sleep, your body creates a hormone called ghrelin that causes you to get hungry. It also lowers the amounts of leptin in your body, which is a hormone that lets you know you're full. With great sleep, these hormones remain balanced, so you don't wake up finding for a sugary bowl of Captain Crunch.
If you're sick of mediocre sleep and want to take on tomorrow with a fresh mind, better sleep begins with MLILY mattresses Near Me Columbus, GA. When you trust our mattress store Near Me Columbus, GA for MLILY mattresses, you're already taking the first steps towards better sleeping habits.
From cold-to-the-touch mattresses like the Fusion Luxe to popular hybrid bed options like the Fusion Supreme Hybrid Mattress, Sleep King has got you covered. With a vast selection of bed frames, adjustable bases, bedroom decor, and even whole-home furnishings, you won't have to look anywhere else besides our showroom Near Me Columbus, GA. One look at our prices, and you'll understand why we're South Carolina's go-to choice for premium mattresses like MLILY. Call or visit our location today to get started on your journey to healthier sleep.
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Columbus, GA, welcomes new leaders whose vision and experience are shaping the city’s next era of growth, innovation and community development.A new chapter has begun for Columbus, GA, as the community officially welcomes four new leaders to key positions in 2025. Their diverse backgrounds and fresh perspectives are poised to shape the city’s future, guiding initiatives and fostering growth.President and CEO, Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce A native of Dothan, Alabama, Jansen Tid...
Columbus, GA, welcomes new leaders whose vision and experience are shaping the city’s next era of growth, innovation and community development.
A new chapter has begun for Columbus, GA, as the community officially welcomes four new leaders to key positions in 2025. Their diverse backgrounds and fresh perspectives are poised to shape the city’s future, guiding initiatives and fostering growth.
President and CEO, Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce
A native of Dothan, Alabama, Jansen Tidmore stepped into his role as president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce in July 2025. Jansen brings with him over 15 years of transformative hands-on leadership resulting in job creation and capital investment.
Tidmore’s communities have generated over $12 billion in new capital investment and created more than 20,000 jobs across Alabama, South Carolina and Colorado.
“With the belief that the cornerstone of a healthy community is the ability to access quality jobs, we have worked hard to provide those opportunities for all our residents,” he says.
Tidmore is known for his hands-on approach to strategic partnerships and workforce development. Before arriving in Columbus, he served as president and CEO of the Jeffco EDC in Jefferson County, Colorado, just outside of Denver, ushering in a unified model for chamber, economic development and leadership programs. He championed regional collaboration and innovation through empowering partnerships and leveraging his experiences in construction, hospitality and media.
“With a 180-year legacy, the chamber is well-positioned to continue to shape Columbus’ next chapter,” he says.
Outside of work, Jansen enjoys family life with his wife, Laura, and their two daughters, cheering them on at theater shows and soccer matches.
President and CEO, Choose Columbus
Missy Kendrick is leading a bold and exciting new era of economic development in Columbus as the first president and CEO of Choose Columbus, a newly launched organization dedicated to job creation, capital investment and business recruitment.
With more than 30 years of experience, Kendrick is no stranger to building momentum; she previously led transformative efforts in Rome, Georgia, bringing over 1,700 jobs and $3 billion in investment to the state.
Now in the Columbus area, she’s focused on making the region more competitive by aligning industry needs with strategic incentives, infrastructure solutions and workforce development. Her approach is collaborative, working closely with local partners and the Georgia Department of Economic Development to position Columbus for growth in sectors such as aerospace, advanced manufacturing, robotics and cybersecurity.
“There’s great potential here as we work on both recruitment and potential expansions of our existing industries,” she says.
With Choose Columbus working alongside VisitColumbusGA and the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber, Kendrick is helping drive a shared vision for the region’s future.
President and CEO, VisitColumbusGA
Ashley Woitena knows Columbus inside and out. That’s because she’s helped shape its tourism story for nearly two decades. She began her journey with VisitColumbusGA in 2007 as a sales assistant while earning her MBA at Troy University. She then steadily rose through the ranks before being named CEO in 2025. Woitena’s leadership comes at a pivotal moment, as Columbus continues to experience major growth in tourism, development and business travel.
Woitena is a Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) and she holds credentials in leadership excellence and tourism marketing.
She’s been instrumental in high-impact campaigns and stakeholder partnerships that helped draw over 2 million visitors to Columbus in 2024, generating an estimated $377 million in local spending.
Backed by a strong hospitality and nonprofit background, she brings energy, vision and deep community roots to the role.
“It’s the perfect time to spotlight all Columbus has to offer,” Woitena says, as she works to position Columbus for continued growth and visibility.
President and CEO, Uptown Columbus
With more than 30 years of experience in event planning, venue coordination and public space development, Steve Morse brings seasoned leadership to his new role at Uptown Columbus and the Uptown Columbus Business Improvement District.
A longtime Columbus resident, Morse is deeply engaged in downtown revitalization, having played key roles in launching key public assets such as the Columbus Civic Center, managing the South Commons Softball Complex and helping open the RiverCenter for the Performing Arts.
Now, his focus is squarely on making Uptown Columbus a vibrant place for residents, businesses and visitors alike.
His passion for placemaking and community-driven development is at the core of his work.
As Morse said in a news release upon his appointment: “As a longtime resident and leader in this community, I’m honored to step into this role. Uptown is the heart of Columbus – always up to something, always amazing. I’m excited to work alongside our partners, business owners and residents to continue building a downtown that serves everyone.”
We recently had the chance to connect with Jessica jbunny Solomon and have shared our conversation below.Jessica jbunny, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?A normal day in the life of Jessica j Bunny well during the daytime I work at a nursing home/rehabilitation center I have an amazing ...
We recently had the chance to connect with Jessica jbunny Solomon and have shared our conversation below.
Jessica jbunny, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is a normal day like for you right now?A normal day in the life of Jessica j Bunny well during the daytime I work at a nursing home/rehabilitation center I have an amazing 11-year-old daughter very smart very beautiful so of course my day consists of homework and making sure she’s set and ready to be the star that she is for the next day and then mommy duties basically
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?My name is Jessica j Bunny Solomon I have been CEO of J Bunny productions for 9 years now, I’m three time award-winning host of Columbus Georgia and also a celebrity host I do all kinds of events starting at weddings to showcases to retirement parties anything that has anything to do with having a good time ,I love to spread happiness and joy and nothing is ever going on too serious that you can’t have a party
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?I will have to say the moment that really shaped how I see the world would be the passing of my son he passed away at 15 of COVID and that completely turned my life around as of course I could imagine it would most but it definitely made me see the world different It made me see people different it made me take friendships relationships bonds that I have with people differently that type of pain changes you forever.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?If I could say one kind thing to myself it would be keep going girl I’ve never met anyone as strong as you and nothing will ever stop you but yourself
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?I would have to say the biggest lies the industry that I’m in could tell anyone would be that everyone’s a star because everyone’s not a star some people are great camera people some people are great assistance and great with organization everyone is not meant to be on the stage or in front of the screen because if so who works the background
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?If I knew I had 10 years left I don’t think I would stop doing anything I would start doing more things more meaningful things the more things to create more memories I definitely would go out with the bag and of course a great party at the end hosted by myself lol
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Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
COLUMBUS, Ga. — Apparently Buford remembered its tough loss to East Coweta in the 2024 Class 6A girls softball championship series.The Lady Wolves followed a 10-0 win over the Lady Indians on Friday in the semifinals with a 16-1, three-inning bludgeoning on Saturday in the Class 6A championship game at the Olympic Softball Complex.Buford scored four in the first, five in the second, a seven in the third to invoke the Mercy Rule.For Buford, it was the third title in the last four years, culminating with a rare unbea...
COLUMBUS, Ga. — Apparently Buford remembered its tough loss to East Coweta in the 2024 Class 6A girls softball championship series.
The Lady Wolves followed a 10-0 win over the Lady Indians on Friday in the semifinals with a 16-1, three-inning bludgeoning on Saturday in the Class 6A championship game at the Olympic Softball Complex.
Buford scored four in the first, five in the second, a seven in the third to invoke the Mercy Rule.
For Buford, it was the third title in the last four years, culminating with a rare unbeaten season (36-0).
"It was a special season with a (perfect record) against a really, really good schedule," Buford coach Trent Adams said. "Our four seniors did a great job of leading on the field, as well as off the field. We played great in Columbus and I'm just really proud of this entire team, not just the starters, but every player."
East Coweta took advantage of a shaky senior Caroline Stanton in the circle for Buford in the first inning. Stanton gave up a hit and walked three, including one with the bases loaded, to give the Lady Indians a 1-0 lead.
But the Lady Wolves offense responded in a big way. In the first, Buford got a three-run double from LG Goldin to highlight the inning. They added four in the second on a three-run home run by Stanton for a 9-1 lead after the second inning.
In the third, Buford got six hits and a walk, with Ella Pierce Hensley getting a RBI single with two outs and then Goldin ended the game with a three-run home run to give Buford the title.
Stanton settled down after the first and capped the title-winning performance with a complete-game win. Stanton allowed just the one hit, walked four, and struck out four.
HERITAGE-CATOOSA 2,
CHEROKEE BLUFF 1 (9 inn)
The Lady Generals won the Class 3A title, rallying late for a win over the Lady Bears in the finals.
Bluff needed to win two games against Heritage to capture its first title in softball. It’s the second straight year the Lady Bears fell to the Lady generals in the finals.
Bluff took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth on a two-out, RBI double from senior catcher Quinn Kiewert, scoring Lillie Diehl.
Jaycee Archer was able to maintain that lead, allowing just two hits through the first five innings. But the Lady Generals finally broke through with a two-out, RBI single to tie the score in the bottom of the sixth.
It stayed that way until the ninth, when Heritage got a one-hit single from Landry White, who later advanced to second on a passed ball. Molly Corvin capped the title-winning game with a two-out, RBI single scoring White.
ORIGINAL STORY: Cherokee Bluff set up the rematch with Heritage-Catoosa for the Class 3A title, holding off West Laurens 3-2 in an elimination game.
Kiewert broke a scoreless tie in the second with a one-out, solo home run to give the Lady Bears a 1-0 lead. West Laurens’ Katelynn Wilson answered right back for the Lady Raiders, smashing her own solo home run to tie the game in the bottom of the second.
The Lady Bears offense responded, loading the bases in the top of the third, with Archer and Diehl driving in runs on a sacrifice fly and a ground out for a 3-1 lead. The Lady Raiders cut the lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the third on an unearned run.
Peyton Davis settled down from there for the Lady Bears. The junior pitcher allowed just three walks over the final four innings, however, the Lady Raiders did have the winning run at the plate in the seventh. But Davis was able to get a ground out to end the game and move them into the finals.
Davis went the distance, scattering two hits and five walks while striking out six for the win.
COLUMBUS, Ga. – Buford (Class 6A) and Cherokee Bluff (Class 3A) both advanced to the semifinals of their respective classifications on Thursday in the weather-delayed Georgia High School Association Elite 8 bracket at the Olympic Softball Complex.The Lady Wolves routed North Cobb 8-0 in their opening game and followed that with a 7-0 victory over Brookwood. Buford (34-0) next will take on East Coweta on Friday at 5 p.m. with a chance to move into the finals.It will be a rematch of last year's Class 6A championship game....
COLUMBUS, Ga. – Buford (Class 6A) and Cherokee Bluff (Class 3A) both advanced to the semifinals of their respective classifications on Thursday in the weather-delayed Georgia High School Association Elite 8 bracket at the Olympic Softball Complex.
The Lady Wolves routed North Cobb 8-0 in their opening game and followed that with a 7-0 victory over Brookwood. Buford (34-0) next will take on East Coweta on Friday at 5 p.m. with a chance to move into the finals.
It will be a rematch of last year's Class 6A championship game.
For Cherokee Bluff, the Lady Bears (19-10) started with a 7-2 win over Pickens and then whipped LaFayette 10-2 to reach the semifinals. Bluff will take on Heritage-Catoosa at 5 p.m. on Friday for a spot in the finals. Like Buford, it will be a rematch of last year's Class 3A championship game.
Meanwhile, in Class 5A, Jackson County (21-6) opened with an 8-3 win over Houston County but then dropped a rough 12-0 decision to South Effingham.
The Lady Panthers were knocked into the loser's bracket and will take on the winner of the Loganville-Effingham County game at 1 p.m. on Friday.
ORIGINAL STORY:
In Class 6A, Buford (33-0) used a six-run second inning to fuel an 8-0 win over North Cobb. The Wolves will play Brookwood in the second round at 5 p.m. Thursday.
In the big second inning, LG Goldin drove in two runs with a single, Lydia Hamrick added a sacrifice bunt RBI, Janie Goldin followed with an RBI single, Summer Castorri plated a run on a groundout, and Addie Rackley capped the rally with a solo home run.
Rackley earned the win, striking out eight and allowing just one hit over five shutout innings. Castorri and Rackley led Buford with two hits each, while the Wolves stole four bases and played error-free defense.
In Class 5A, Jackson County (21-5) advanced to the second round with an 8-3 win over Houston County. The Panthers will play South Effingham at 5 p.m. on Thursday.
Emery Schiffmann went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs to lead the Panthers. Jackson County used a five-run sixth inning to pull away from Houston County.
The Panthers were the first to score in the third inning on a Miabella Lee single that scored two runs. Houston County answered three innings later to tie the game in the sixth. However, the Panthers answered in the bottom with five runs on four hits — highlighted by Schiffmann’s two-run single — to reclaim control.
Adalyn Mitchell earned the complete-game win, striking out eight while allowing six hits and no earned runs over seven innings. Lee added three RBIs and went 2-for-4, while Ryleigh O’Brien and Reese Wilson also had multiple hits as part of Jackson County’s 11-hit day.
Alanah McKenzie led Houston County with two hits, while Ann Marie DeFore, Olivia Buffone, and Kendall Carswell each drove in a run.
In Class 3A, Cherokee Bluff advanced with a 7-2 win over Pickens to advance to the second round of the Elite 8 tournament, and North Hall fell to LaFayette to drop to the losers' bracket.
LAFAYETTE 8, NORTH HALL 1: A six-run fifth inning lifted LaFayette past North Hall, 8-1. The loss drops the Trojans to the losers' bracket of the tournament. North Hall (24-7) will play Pickens on Friday at 9 a.m.
The Ramblers broke the scoreless game in the top of the fifth when Jocelyn McCallie walked to score a run. Bri Medrano followed with a sacrifice fly, and Harley Perkins singled in a run for a 3-0 lead. Tamra Yancy added an RBI walk before Emma House delivered a two-run double, pushing the lead to 6-0.
Yancy later put the game out of reach in the seventh with a two-run homer to left field.
Ramblers’ pitcher Marlie Day tossed a complete game, allowing just two hits and one unearned run. She struck out four and walked one in the win.
House, Perkins, and Sarah Brooke Kelehear each had two hits for LaFayette, while Yancy finished with three RBIs. McCallie added two walks as the Ramblers showed patience at the plate, drawing five in total.
Alizah Schlieman and Hadleigh Crumley had North Hall’s only hits.
CHEROKEE BLUFF 7, PICKENS 2: Cherokee Bluff's Peyton Davis had herself a day in the circle to lead the Bears to the 7-2 win against Pickens.
Davis allowed just two runs on three hits while striking out 11 in a dominant performance.
The Bears jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning when Kaitlyn Benitez singled home two runs. They added three more insurance runs in the fourth and one in the seventh.
Benitez and Claire Carlson each had two hits, while Addy Cagle, Benitez, Mac Warren, Audrey Graham, Lillie Diehl, and Carlson all drove in runs for the Bears.
Kendra Stewart went the distance for Pickens, striking out eight but allowing nine hits and seven runs.
Kylee Bozeman, Carleigh Rau, and Stewart each recorded a hit for the Nettes, who played clean defense without an error.
BREMEN 4, BANKS COUNTY 0: In Class A Division I, Banks County lost to Bremen, 4-0, in the opening round of bracket play and will now have to play its way through the losers' bracket to reach the final.
The Blue Devils started strong in the first inning as Savannah Langley smashed a solo home run to take the lead, 1-0.
In the third, Bremen added another run after Halli Ballenger drew a bases-loaded walk. In the sixth, Reece Brown belted a two-run homer to take a 4-0 advantage.
Banks County recorded just two hits on the day.
The Leopards (27-5) will play Toombs County on Friday at 11 a.m. in Columbus in the loser's bracket.
GHSA ELITE 8 TOURNAMENT, Friday, Oct. 31
Class 6A (semifinals)
Buford vs. East Coweta, 5 p.m.
Class 5A (loser's bracket, loser eliminated)
Jackson County vs. Effingham County-Loganville winner, 1 p.m.
Class 3A (semifinals)
Cherokee Bluff vs. Heritage-Catoosa, 5 p.m.
Class 3A (loser's bracket, loser eliminated)
North Hall vs. Pickens, 9 a.m.
Class A Division I (loser's bracket, loser eliminated)
Banks County vs. Toombs loser, 11 a.m.
After Mother Nature forced the Georgia High School Association to push the Elite 8 softball tournament in Columbus back a day, things finally appear to be on schedule.Buford in Class 6A and Jackson County in Class 5A are set to get their opening games under way at 9 a.m. today. North Hall and Cherokee Bluff in Class 3A will begin at 11 a.m. and Banks County in Class A D1 will get started at 3 p.m.FROM WEDNESDAY: The GHSA originally moved game times to Wednesday evening; however, rainy weather conditions have ma...
After Mother Nature forced the Georgia High School Association to push the Elite 8 softball tournament in Columbus back a day, things finally appear to be on schedule.
Buford in Class 6A and Jackson County in Class 5A are set to get their opening games under way at 9 a.m. today. North Hall and Cherokee Bluff in Class 3A will begin at 11 a.m. and Banks County in Class A D1 will get started at 3 p.m.
FROM WEDNESDAY: The GHSA originally moved game times to Wednesday evening; however, rainy weather conditions have made the fields unplayable.
The GHSA announced the schedule changes on its website on Wednesday afternoon.
Due to wet field conditions and ongoing rain, the GHSA has decided to cancel tonight’s opening round of the State Softball Championship Tournament in the interest of safety for our student-athletes. We appreciate everyone’s understanding and flexibility as we adjust the schedule to ensure the best possible playing conditions.
Revised Tournament Schedule:
Thursday: 9 a.m. • 11 a.m. • 1 p.m. • 3 p.m. • 5 p.m. • 7 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. • 11 a.m. • 1 p.m. • 3 p.m. • 5 p.m. • 7 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. • 1:15 p.m. • 3:30 p.m.
Five area teams advanced to Columbus: Buford (Class 6A), Jackson County (5A), Cherokee Bluff and North Hall (3A), and Banks County (A-D1).
Buford (6A) and Cherokee Bluff (3A) both finished as state runners-up in 2024. Banks County finished fourth in Class A D1 in 2024.
The GHSA has not released game times as of 4:46 p.m. on Wednesday.
GHSA ELITE 8 TOURNAMENT, Thursday, Oct. 30
(Double-elimination format)
Class 6A
Buford vs. North Cobb, 9 a.m.
Class 5A
Jackson County vs. Houston County, 9 a.m.
CLASS 3A
Cherokee Bluff vs. Pickens, 11 a.m.
North Hall vs. LaFayette, 11 a.m.
Class A Division 1
Banks County vs. Bremen, 3 p.m.