TIFTON — The Tiftarea Academy Lady Panthers are Region 3-AAA champions, defeating Southland in a playoff Tuesday in Americus.

The Lady Panthers took the title with a 5-4 win, courtesy of a two-ring bottom of the sixth inning.

Trailing 4-3, Sara-Kate Lupo singled and Morgan McKay walked. An error put Madi Claire Lentz at first and loaded the bases for Missy McKay.

Missy McKay was out on a double play to shortstop, but it was enough to score Lupo. One batter later, Maci Paulk reached on an error on a ground ball and Morgan McKay came around for the lead.

Lupo retired Southland in order in the seventh to clinch the title and put the lid on a back and forth game.

Tiftarea took the initial lead in the second frame on a Morgan McKay double that drove in Hannah Gunter. Southland went up 2-1 in the top of the third before the Lady Panthers came roaring back when a pair of errors scored Paulk and Macy Strenth.

Southland regained the lead in the top of the sixth, 4-3, on an RBI single that scored two runs.

The Lady Panthers had split the season series with Southland, each winning a game at the other’s home park. They had six hits Tuesday, two by Lupo. Lupo also had a strong day in the circle, striking out six while surrendering only two earned runs.

The victory gives Tiftarea the No. 1 seed out of Region 3. Their next game is scheduled to be in Chula Tuesday against the No. 2 seed from Region 2, a school that has not been announced yet.