By Carlton D. White

cwhite@mdjonline.com

Seven Cobb County varsity softball programs advanced to the 2009 state playoffs.

Five Class AAAAA schools, including Kell, Walton, Harrison Kennesaw Mountain, join Region 6AAAAA champion Lassiter into the postseason, while Class A schools Walker and Mount Paran Christian are also vying for spots at the state finals in Columbus, which will be held Oct. 22-24.

However, instead of playing the usual eight team double-elimination sectional format, the Georgia High School Association instituted two best two-out-of-three series rounds of playoffs games, where the winning teams move on to the finals.

First round postseason contests are scheduled at the higher seeded teams with doubleheader games Tuesday and, an if necessary game, Wednesday. Second round games at the remaining highest seeds include a doubleheader Friday and a final game, if necessary, on Saturday.

Lisa Chapman, Kennesaw Mountain coach and president of the Georgia Dugout Club, is happy about the change in format.

"I'm excited about it," she said. "I think the format will provide a good opportunity for the best teams to advance through to the state finals."

Lassiter hopes to buoy its region title into another state championship. The sixth-ranked and top-seeded Lady Trojans (20-7), who won the 2007 crown after winning their region that year, host fourth-seeded Duluth (12-11) in the first round. The winner advances to play either No. 2 Harrison (13-9), which is back in the playoffs after a one-year absence, or No. 3 Grayson (17-10). The Lady Hoyas host the Lady Rams.

Kell (19-8), which is ranked 10th in the coaches poll, is a No. 2 seed and will host No. 3 South Forsyth beginning at 5 p.m. The winner advances to play top-seeded Etowah (18-7) or No. 4 Parkview (18-9).

Kennesaw Mountain (19-10) reached the state finals for the first time in school history last year as a No. 1 seed. This season, the Lady Mustangs are a No. 4 seed who will go on the road for a 5 p.m. doubleheader at top-seeded Brookwood (21-11). The winner advances to face either No. 3 seed Walton (21-9) or No. 2 Peachtree Ridge (17-11). The Lady Lions host the Lady Raiders, who are making their second straight postseason appearance, in the first round.

"This is the first time in seven years that we didn't play for the region championship," Chapman said. "That was disappointing, but I think we're playing some of our best ball right now. I feel good about the best two-out-of-three. As long as we keep hitting the ball well, then I think we'll be all right."

Mount Paran (4-11) reaches the state playoffs for the third time in four years, but the first under second year coach Caroline Bradford, who played for the Lady Eagles from 1999-2003. Mount Paran, a No. 3 seed, travels to No. 2 Commerce (10-10) for a 4 p.m. first pitch. The winner takes on either No. 1 ranked Eagles' Landing Christian (23-5) or No. 4 seed Bremen (6-16).

"It feels great to take my alma mater to the playoffs with it being only my second year. We only have 10 girls on the team, so everybody was involved in getting us here. We're definitely playing our best ball right now and we're going in with some momentum."

Walker makes the postseason for the second straight year. The No. 4 seed Lady Wolverines (8-19) visit top-seed and third-ranked Prince Avenue Christian (20-3) for a 2 p.m. first pitch. The winner meets either No. 2 Wesleyan (11-12) or No. 3 Excel Christian (19-5).