Local high school softball teams are ready to launch 2024 campaigns

July 26, 2024 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

The 2024 high school softball season begins this week with all four local teams opening their campaigns. Two local squads — Cartersville and Woodland — will seek to make return trips to the state playoffs while Adairsville and Cass will look to get back into the post-season mix.

All four teams will face some new competition in 2024 for state playoff berths as the Georgia High School Association realignment begins for the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years.

The local coaches provided a season preview glance at their respective teams.

CARTERSVILLE HURRICANES

Head Coach: Glen Woodard Last Season: 21-11 overall; 13-2 in Region 7-5A; Region Champs

Hosted and won their state playoff super-regional before losing two straight games in the Final Eight state tournament in Columbus.

New Region: 7-4A includes Allatoona, Cass, Cedartown, Dalton, Hiram, Southeast Whitfield, and Woodland.

The Lady Canes return nine starters from last season’s region title squad with a pair of newcomers — freshman Pressley Crabbe and junior transfer Kinsey Woodard — expected to contribute immediately. Sophomore pitcher Zoie Shiflett was the Region Pitcher of the Year last season as a freshman and Senior Kennedy Stevens will share some of the innings in the pitching circle.

Offensively, Cartersville will be led by senior Jordan Bishop who collected Region Player of the Year honors last season. Layne Callan (Sr.), Reese Dumas (Sr.), Kennedy Crenshaw (So.), and Shiflett bring offense to the lineup as well.

“We have won the region back-to-back years, so everyone will be coming for us,” remarked Woodard. “We have worked hard in the weight room this offseason and I expect us to be up for the challenge. Woodland is always considered a playoff contender and I expect Allatoona will be right in the mix as well. Dalton returns their best pitcher so they will compete.”

The Lady Canes will host Villa Rica in a scrimmage on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. and will open the regular season on Thursday with a home game against Murray County at 5:30 p.m.

WOODLAND WILDCATS

Head Coach: Erika Cook

Last Season: 20-12 overall; 10-5 Region 7-5A

Lost state playoff games to Villa Rica and Cambridge at the Villa Rica Super Regional

New Region: 7-4A includes Allatoona, Cartersville, Cass, Cedartown, Dalton, Hiram, and Southeast Whitfield.

The Lady Cats return eight starters from last season’s region runner-up lineup. Returnees include Bailey Ryan (shortstop), Kamryn Smith (third base/pitcher), Ashlyn Baines (utility/pitcher), Alana Carnes (second base), Mackenzie Araya (first base), Bitsy Hartsfield (catcher), Jordan Hammonds (centerfield), Lanie Calhoun (outfield).

New head coach Erika Cook named five newcomers expected to contribute immediately: Carley Aspenwall, Charlee Byrd, Raya Taft, and freshman pitchers Evie Tucker and Gracie Korb.

Ashlyn Baines and Smith are expected to carry the bulk of the pitching load for Woodland. Cook credits their ability to work the strike zone with a variety of pitches.

On offense, the Lady Cats will lean on the bats and speed of Hammonds and Carnes with Hartsfield and Smith providing some power pop. The Woodland coach also noted the ability to get on base provided by Araya and Baines.

“We have a strong team with various players bringing something different to the table,” added Cook. “I expect us to compete with Cartersville in the region race.”

Woodland will open the 2024 regular season with a doubleheader on Saturday, August 3 at Union County.

CASS COLONELS

Head Coach: Taylor Washington

Last Season: 9-18 overall, 3-12 in Region 7-5A

Did not qualify for the state playoffs

New Region: 7-4A includes Allatoona, Cartersville, Cedartown, Dalton, Hiram, Southeast Whitfield, and Woodland.

The Lady Colonels had a three-year streak of qualifying for the state playoffs snapped last year but will seek a return to the post-season in 2024 with ten returning starters. Cayce Brown (LF), Darianna Sosa (SS), Payton Mize (RF), Braelyn Franklin (2B), Harlee Thomason (3B/1B), Bailey York (Utility-P/C/INF), Emma Gibson (P/OF), KK Evans (CF), Erin Clinard (C/INF), and Lily Powell (P) all made starts in 2023.

In addition, three upcoming freshmen are expected to contribute in significant ways. Kylie Gentry and Chloe Hill will see time in the pitching circle and Sydney Satterfield will see time at catcher and in the field. Coach Washington noted that all three newcomers have been competitive at the plate in summer action. The Cass coach also noted that Molli Morrow will be eligible this season as a junior catcher and will provide some offensive power.

The Lady Colonels will present a staff of five pitchers: York, Gibson, Powell, Gentry, and Hill. “We get a lot of variation in terms of speed and spin from each of these players,” noted Washington. “We plan to use them according to matchups along with a rotation.”

The Cass offense will revolve around senior Darianna Sosa. She was the Colonels’ offensive leader in multiple categories last season. Sosa hits for power but also has quickness and the ability to challenge defenses using small ball.

“Our coaching staff is extremely excited about this upcoming season, stated Washington. “This fall, we are going to have the capability of moving girls around to determine what puts us in the best position to win. That may change from game to game depending on matchups. We can do this because so many of our girls are utility players and each of them has been working hard offensively to be able to produce wherever and however we may ask them to do that.”

Washington expects the new region to be competitive from top to bottom. “We cannot take any team lightly and will have to be ready to compete in each matchup to earn a top-four spot,” the coach added. “We have a talented group, but we want to take it game-by-game and not get caught looking ahead to things we are not able to control.”

Cass begins the 2024 regular season on Friday at Wheeler with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m.

ADAIRSVILLE TIGERS

Head coach: Justin Evans

Last Season: 6-18 overall, 3-11 in Region 6-3A

Did not qualify for the state playoffs

New Region: 7-3A includes Calhoun, Gilmer, Heritage-Catoosa, LaFayette, Northwest Whitfield, Ridgeland

The Lady Tigers will return a few starters from last season including Ashlynn Durden, Brie Patterson, Ashlyn Carlton, Gabi Becerra, and Riley Mounger. Coach Evans also welcomes the addition of freshmen Ansley Powell and Maddie Baggett who are expected to contribute right away. Powell will start at shortstop and bat in the leadoff spot. Baggett will be an addition to the pitching staff.

Three pitchers will make up the Tigers’ rotation — Shorter University commit Jordan Clay, junior Carlton, and freshman Baggett. Clay and Baggett will rely on spin for weaker contact while Carlton will throw with more velocity.

Coach Evans expressed excitement over the offensive potential for this season’s team and identified several players expected to produce including Mounger, Durden, senior Taylor Evans, Carlton, senior and Lee commit Paterson, and Powell.

“Riley Mounger had a great summer,” noted Evans. “She hit for power and average. She can also lay a bunt down and swipe a base making her a multifaceted threat. Durden and Evans have gap power while Carlton and Patterson can smack a homer at any time. Powell is just a hard-nosed player with the ability to reach base, steal, and score runs.”

The Adairsville coach spoke about 2024 expectations.“This season’s team is completely different than last season. We started working during the off-season and we put in the hours this summer. We want a taste of the playoffs. It has been a very long time since Adairsville softball played a playoff game. We want to change that. Adding new assistant coaches has been crucial in our player development.”

“We know Heritage will be solid again,” added Evans. “Lafayette always puts together a great team too.”

The Lady Tigers begin their 2024 campaign on Thursday, August 1 at Southeast Whitfield at 5 p.m.