COLUMBUS, Ga. — Note to the future Grayson High softball opponents: The Rams run from first to second base on the first pitch, everyone, every time.

And they can reach beyond the fence. And their pitcher is hard to catch up with.

Colquitt County High found all this out the hard way as Grayson needed only five innings to end the first game for both teams Thursday in the GHSA 7A Elite 8.

Kylie Macy struck out nine batters for the Rams in a complete game one-hitter, the final score 10-2.

That puts the Packers and coach Chance Pitts into a noon elimination game Friday, also at the South Commons Complex. This was the first game for the Packer program this deep into the state playoffs since going to fast-pitch softball.

Grayson was four out of five going for steals of second base. Kailyn Jones drove in three runs, including a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth. But the big shot was the two-out, three-run double from Kayla Grace Lang in the second inning. This was part of a five-run turn for the Rams, and they never looked back.

When the Packers did score, it was when Macy experienced some control issues. Abeny Thomas, Colquitt’s No. 1 hitter, drew two walks in the game. She reached in the top of the first inning, and Abby Plymel bunted her to scoring position. With two outs, Marlie Wingate grounded a single into left field. Thomas put the Packers up 1-0 as the throw home was not caught.

Grayson’s reputation for small ball was on display, bunting the ball at the start off Packer starting hurler Jade Horne. This first bunt was thrown away for an error, but Colquitt caught a break when Grayson’s runner strayed a bit away from the second bag. She coaxed a throw to third from catcher Madison Plymel and was called safe. Pitts disagreed, asked for some officiating help, and got the out call.

But Grayson kept attacking with the bunt hit, the stolen base and the advancement to third ahead of Jones’ RBI hit.

Grayson’s leadoff batter of the home second walked and stole second, and a popped ball landed fair at the edge of the outfield grass. The Rams took the lead 3-1 from an error and hit batter, then Lang delivered to double their total.

Coming off two perfect innings with five strikeouts, Macy walked the bases full of Packers in the fourth. Katlynn Powers got one of those teammates home for 6-2 Rams.

No. 5 matched that run going deep with two outs in the home fourth.

On three hits and two walks, Grayson scored three in the fifth ended the game early.