The chase for high school softball supremacy in the Peach State begins this week, and again a handful of northwest Georgia programs are expected to compete for spots in Columbus at the eight-team state tournaments that will cap the season in October.
Start with the area’s two reigning state champions, Calhoun in Class AAA and Gordon Lee in Class A. With a slew of top players returning, these powerhouses should be in title contention as usual.
Last year, Calhoun overcame the loss of four players who had started most of the season to go from being seeded fourth in the region tournament to sweeping its way to coach Diane Smith’s fourth GHSA championship. The Lady Yellow Jackets’ late surge was keyed by a pair of freshmen, Lyndi Rae Davis (.494, eight home runs in 2017) and pitcher Maggie McBrayer (15-3).
Also among their seven returning starters are all-state first-team outfielder Carlie Henderson (.504), pitcher Blair Hall and outfielder Erin Barnes, and another talented group of youngsters have been added to the roster.
“Our expectations are high,” Smith said. “We have confidence in each other, and we have the same goal in mind that we normally have: Climb back to the top.”