This is the time of year when aces typically go wild in Columbus and runs are hard to come by.
The GHSA fastpitch softball championships begin Wednesday at the South Commons Softball Complex, where pitching is usually the name of the game. The Ridgeland Lady Panthers, however, are the team that destroys ERAs.
In search of the program’s first fastpitch championship, coach Samantha Tracy’s squad returns to Columbus after an eight-year absence with arguably the most potent lineup in the 64-team field. Despite playing in one of the toughest regions in the state, Ridgeland (27-6) has scored 304 runs (nine per game) entering Wednesday’s (5:45) Class AAAA Elite Eight opener against West Laurens.
(Read More: Ridgeland shows power in playoff sweep).
According to Tracy, the numbers aren’t by accident.
“The biggest thing we concentrated on was hitting from the very first day possible and we’ve hit everyday since,” the second-year coach said. “We want to be calm and confident in the box. We’ve just developed their swings and tried to keep it simple.”
Tracy coached four of the team’s five seniors in middle school, including catcher Alaina Shaver, who has used that simple approach (“See the yellow ball coming at you and smack it”) to produce a monster season. She enters the tournament with a .610 average, 15 homers, nine doubles, four triples, 56 RBIs and 51 runs scored.
“Alaina Shaver is just raw in her approach and she plays without abandon,” Tracy said. “She sees the ball she wants to hit and just attacks. She doesn’t overthink the process and it’s been fun to watch.”
She’s hardly alone. Sophomore tablesetter Jordyn Thomas, a star on the basketball court as well, is hitting .496 with six triples, 14 doubles, 61 runs scored and 41 stolen bases. Senior Kailynn Bailey is hitting .495 with eight homers, 13 doubles and 55 RBIs, while senior Erica Choice and sophomore Kacey Hart have combined for 15 homers.
It’s a lineup Tracy is glad she doesn’t have to face.
“I was a pitcher in college and high school, and when I faced somebody with these types of stats, it really limited what I could do,” she said. “We are very confident in the fact we can score runs and can come back if we get behind.”
One factor Tracy hopes doesn’t come into play is the team’s lack of Elite Eight experience, something the rest of the field has.
“All I’ve been talking about is just to play Lady Panther softball,” said Tracy, whose team takes on a West Laurens team that eliminated the Lady Panthers in last year’s first round of the playoffs. “We just need to take our game to whatever field we show up and play our brand of softball.
“I think everybody that’s here deserves to be here and every team is incredible. Whoever gets hot the fastest will have the confidence that carries over to the next day.”
Ridgeland will be joined by five other area teams, including Region 7-AAAA rival and three-time defending champion Heritage (23-4), which starts play against North Hall (19-13) at 5:45.
(READ MORE: Gordon Lee, Heritage add to trophy case)
In Class AAA, another defending champion, Sonoraville (26-6) begins play against Toombs County (25-5) at 11 a.m. Eleven-time champion Gordon Lee (26-4) opens against Mount Zion-Carroll (22-7) at 1:15, while in Class A, Trion (23-5) faces Irwin County (17-4) at 1:15.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com