The Flowery Branch softball team defeated Apalachee 4-2 at home Tuesday night to secure a postseason bid for the state tournament in Region 8-AAAAA. Lady Falcons’ freshman third baseman Alexis Nixon had two hits and an RBI, senior Bailey Sims had an RBI and freshman pitcher Alyssa Kimbrell earned the save. Flowery Branch (14-11, 7-3) begins tournament play next week with a best-of-three series against a region opponent. GAINESVILLE 9, SALEM 6: Lady Red Elephants’ pitcher Aliyah Goss threw a complete game, allowed two earned runs with three strikeouts Tuesday night in Conyers.