Varsity Lions let the game slip away early and couldn’t recover in a 3-0 loss to Etowah on Thursday to open the GHSA class 7A State tournament in Columbus.

With strong pitching on both sides, the Lions struck out two and Etowah punched out eight Lions. Elle Lunsford took the loss for the Lions going six innings allowing three runs on five hits and walking four.

The Lions managed four hits, led by Senior Madison Strange’s two singles and joined by Lunsford and Juhles Kelly with a hit each.