When a person thinks about autumn, the common images that are invoked often include colored leaves, crackling fires and the release of the latest pumpkin flavored creations.

However, for sports fan across the country, fall serves as an indicator that the most competitive events of the year are just around the corner.

This sentiment could not be more true for the Lambert Longhorn softball and volleyball programs, who head into October and their respective state playoff runs with copious amounts of momentum.

The softball team came into last Wednesday’s contest against South Forsyth having already been crowned the winners of the region thanks to a win over Milton High School earlier in the week. Attempting to finish the regular season with an undefeated record in the region, the Longhorns sent sophomore ace pitcher Kassidy Krupit to the mound.

The Longhorns got to work early jumping out to a lead before South Forsyth got a chance to bat themselves. After South tied the game in later innings, the Horns were lead by stellar hitting by Furman University commit Marissa Guimbarda who eventually put Lambert on top with an RBI base hit, giving the team a perfect 15-0 record in region 5-7AAAAAAA.

Not to be outdone, the Longhorn Volleyball took the court against North Forsyth in the region tournament semi-final. After losing the first set, Lambert bounced back and was able to win the next two to clinch a berth in the region championship match against South Forsyth. After splitting the first four sets, Lambert eventually lost the final set to the War Eagles. Despite the tough loss, with the win over North Forsyth, the Longhorns were able to obtain the number two seed in the state tournament.

Both teams begin their playoff runs this week in hopes of bringing another state championship to 805 Nichols Road.