Teams to watch
1. Dalton. The Lady Catamounts were region runners-up and finished fifth in Class AAAAA a year ago. Moving up one classification shouldn’t be a problem with senior star pitcher Alli Swinford and fellow all-state player Gabby Wright on the roster.2. Heritage. Despite losing five starters, Heritage returns a solid pitching duo — Taelyn Bates and Maddie Morris — and proven hitters Raleigh Lewis, Shayla Ludy, Ali Roberts and Sydney Smith.3. Trion. After a runner-up finish in the Class A public school state tournament last season, Trion must replace all-state performers Peyton Henderson, Jaden Morrison and Kerrigan Ramsey, but pitcher Lindsey Shepherd and Kiki Evans, a .525 hitter a year ago, return.
Players to watch
1. Jana Johns, Calhoun. A true human highlight film, the senior third baseman not only has a potent bat — she hit .539 with seven home runs and 64 RBIs in 2015 — she also has one of the strongest arms in the state.2. Gracey Kruse, Gordon Lee. The junior outfielder, who has committed to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, had a breakout season in 2015 with a .538 average, six homers, 22 doubles, 62 RBIs and 18 stolen bases.3. Gabby Wright, Dalton. The outfielder earned all-state honors last year after batting .481 with 30 runs scored and 50 stolen bases in 51 attempts.
Softball scoreboard operators in northwest Georgia should be double-checking light bulbs, making sure the electrical connections are solid and limbering up their fingers.
Get ready for a few lit-up scoreboards during a high school season full of teams with incredible lineups and largely unproven pitching.
Calhoun and Gordon Lee, both state champions last season, are among the teams replacing elite pitchers. Calhoun, which has won three straight titles, graduated dominant hurlers Kinsey Liscio and Emily Mitchell, who combined to go 35-4 in 2015.
Gordon Lee, which went 37-2 last year in Class AA - GHSA reclassification has moved the program back to Class A - must replace three-time state pitcher of the year Emily Armour, who was 32-2 with 335 strikeouts in 2015.
"Any time you lose somebody like Emily, it's tough," said Gordon Lee coach Dana Mull, who said three players will get innings in the circle, included two who have already made college commitments. " We feel comfortable. They're excited about getting time to step up."
Canaan Burnett (Stetson), Madison Collier (Carson-Newman) and junior Janie Durham will try to fill Armour's shoes. And the Lady Trojans will have a potent offense. In addition to Burnett, standout junior Gracey Kruse returns, as do speedy leadoff hitter Faith Alexander, sophomore Paxton Grimes and three other starters.
"We should have a very good lineup, so our pitchers won't have to be perfect," Mull said. "But all three are very capable, though I expect one will emerge as the main starter."
Calhoun and coach Diane Smith are in the same situation, returning eight positional starters. Among those are South Carolina commitment Jana Johns, Ashlyn Barnes and Ryan Brozoski, who all hit .500 last season.
The graduation of co-starters Lisco and Mitchell has opened up a very big opportunity, however, and former junior varsity starters Tori Gaddis and Kayla Watson are set to share the pitching load.
"They may not be the caliber of the two we lost, but they do a good job," Smith said. "They've been waiting on this opportunity, and though pitching is a very, very crucial part of the game, I feel very good about this team."
It's not just the state champs replacing elite pitchers. Perennial power Ringgold graduated three-year starter Abby McKinney, and another pitcher from last season, Katie Cain, elected not to play as a senior. As of now, sophomore Briana Foster and freshman Kaylee Phillips will share time.
"It's hard to replace somebody like Abby, but together I feel these girls can get the job done," Ringgold coach Shane Pendley said. "Neither is as overpowering as Abby was, but they are good at hitting their spots. The good news is we've got a really solid lineup behind them."
Like Gordon Lee and Calhoun, Ringgold is loaded offensively with eight returning starters, including Kiwi Dale, Dare Schley, Karoline Sholl, Kaylee Womack and Kayla Woody.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.