2023 GHSA SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
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GHSA SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL FANS
Welcometo the 2023 GHSA Slow Pitch Softball State Championships! The games are sure to be exciting as all of the schools represented are looking forward to their team achieving the title of ‘Champion”. However, we all know that all our teams are outstanding and are definitely winners. Our congratulations are in order for all of the teams, coaches, administrators, students and parents who have supported the athletes through this year’s journey to the final games. I know you will enjoy and appreciate the games and all of the work leading up to this exciting event.
To put on an event of this magnitude takes many volunteers who have worked tirelessly to provide a “first class” event. The GHSA staff has been working for weeks as well to ensure a special event for all involved. Finally, I would like to thank our corporate sponsors who make it possible to put on these championships. Their advertisements can be seen throughout this program, and I encourage you to support them whenever possible. The GHSA wants to thank these exemplary companies for their involvement, we appreciate their support.
Thank you for your attendance and I know you are going to enjoy the best high school slow pitch softball anywhere!
Executive Director
GHSA SLOW PITCH CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19
11 A.M.
Field #1 - Haralson County vs. Oconee County
Field #2 - Jefferson vs. Franklin County
Field #3 - West Laurens vs. Sequoyah
Field #4 - Dodge County vs. Creekview
1 P.M.
Field #3 - Second Round
Field #4 - Second Round
Field #1 - Loser First Rouond
Field #2 - Loser First Round
3 P.M.
Field #1 - Loser Second Round
Field #2 - Loser Second Round
5 P.M.
Field #4 - Loser Semifinals
THURSDAY, APRIL 20
10 A.M.
Field #3 - Semifinals
NOON
Field #3 - Loser Play-In Game
2 P.M.
Field #3 - Finals
4 P.M.
Field #3 - If Necessary
APRIL 19 - 20, 2023 WWW.GHSA.NET | 3
The 2023 Georgia High School Association Slow Pitch Softball Championship Guide is published by Score Media, a division of Score Atlanta, in conjunction with the GHSA. The guide was designed by Laura Grieve, and edited by Craig Sager II, Seth Ellerbee and Graham David. Information provided by the GHSA and photos on the cover and inside the guide are courtesy of Unforgettable Moments. For more information on Score Media, go to Scoreatl.com or call 404-246-7819.
WORD FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WELCOME
NATIONAL SIGNING DAY
/OFFICIALGHSA FOLLOW US
SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL SEASON CULMINATES AT TWIN CREEKS
The GHSA Slow Pitch Softball season will end at Twin Creeks in Woodstock on April 19-20 after two sectional qualifying rounds at Twin Creeks and Southern Pines in Dublin. The results of the sectional qualifying rounds left a stacked field of contenders trying for a title.
The championship bracket is double-elimination and provides teams a chance to overcome an early stumble with victories in the loser’s bracket to still have a chance at the championship.
A LOOK BACK AT HISTORY
Slow pitch softball began as a GHSA-sanctioned sport in 1981 and involved Classes A-4A until 1998 when it transitioned to Classes A, 2A, 4A/3A and 5A. Then, in 2001, the GHSA awarded championships in Classes A, 3A/2A and 5A/4A. The format shifted again in 2002 when it condensed to Classes 3A/2A/A and 5A/4A. Then in 2004, it became a one-class open event until 2009 when it was disbanded.
A STORIED RESURGENCE
Since returning as a GHSA championship in 2017, defendingchampion Haralson County has three state championships – 2017, 2018 and last season. Through the sectional qualifying rounds, Haralson beat Gainesville 28-2, Sequoyah 7-4 and Franklin County 11-0 to earn a trip to the championship where it will face Oconee County in the opening round.
Oconee County is on the hunt for the program’s first title after beating Wilkinson County 7-0, Dodge County 3-1 and North
Oconee 18-1 in the loser’s bracket after losing to Jefferson 15-1 in the winner’s bracket finals. Jefferson, the 2000 Class A champion, enjoyed a BYE in the first round of sectionals and then beat Commerce 24-2 and Oconee County 15-1 to advance to the championship. Jefferson will open the tournament against Franklin County.
Franklin County had a BYE in the first round of the sectionals and then beat Woodstock 13-2, lost to Haralson County 11-0
BY SETH ELLERBEE | SELLERBEE@SCOREATL.COM
after beating Elbert County 13-2, but a 7-4 loss to Haralson County sent it to the loser’s bracket where it outlasted Johnson-Gainesville 27-0, Woodstock 2-0 and Cherokee 1716 to advance.
Dodge County’s lone championship came in 1997 when it won the 2A title and after losing to Dodge County 3-1 following its first-round BYE, it beat Commerce 27-0 and Thomas County Central 21-0 to advance. Dodge will face 2019 champion Creekview to open the tournament. Creekview earned its championship berth after beating JohnsonGainesville 21-1, Etowah 9-8 and Cherokee 12-7.
The games begin Wednesday at 11 a.m. on Fields 1, 2, 3, and 4 at Twin Creeks with Haralson facing Oconee County on Field 1, Jefferson playing Franklin County on Field 2, West Laurens playing Sequoyah on Field 3 and Dodge County meeting Creekview on Field 4. Following the opening games, the winners will play on Field 3 and 4, while the losers in the opening round will play on Field 1 and 2 at 1 p.m. The second round of the loser’s bracket will play at 3 p.m. on Fields 1 and 2 and the third round of the loser’s bracket will play at 5 p.m. on Field 4.
and beat Elbert County 8-7 in the loser’s bracket to keep its chances for a first-ever championship alive.
West Laurens won its only state championship in the 2000 4A/3A bracket and is trying for the team’s second title after beating North Oconee 20-0 and Thomas County Central 27-0. It will begin the championship trek against Sequoyah in the first round. Sequoyah earned its championship berth
LET’S CROWN A CHAMPION
On championship Thursday, the semifinals of the winner’s bracket will play at 10 a.m. on Field 3 to determine one finals contender and then the loser’s bracket final will send the other team to the finals on Field 3 at noon. The championship series will begin at 2 p.m. on Field 3 and if needed, the second game will take place at 4 p.m.
2023
4 | WWW.GHSA.NET
GHSA
2022-2023 GHSA Slow Pitch Softball Championship
April 19 & 20 - Twin Creeks Park - Woodstock
2023 GHSA SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP - TWIN CREEKS
APRIL 19 - 20, 2023 WWW.GHSA.NET | 5
Co. Team A April 19 - 11:00 AM Fld. 1 #1 Oconee Co. Team E Jefferson Team H April 19 - 11:00 AM Fld. 2 #2 Franklin Co.
D W. Laurens Team G April 19 - 11:00 AM Fld. 3 #3 Sequoyah Team C Dodge Co. Team F April 19 - 11:00 AM Fld. 4 #4 Creekview Team B April 19 - 1:00 PM Fld. 3 #5 April 19 - 1:00 PM Fld. 4 #6 April 20 - 10:00 AM Fld. 3 #7 Loser #1 April 19 - 1:00 PM Fld. 1 #10 Loser #2 Loser #3 April 19 - 1:00 PM Fld. 2 #11 Loser #4 Loser #6 April 19 - 3:00 PM Fld. 1 #12 Loser #5 April 19 - 3:00 PM Fld. 2 #13 April 19 - 5:00 PM Fld. 4 #14 Loser #7 April 20 - 12:00 PM Fld. 3 #15 April 20 - 2:00 PM Fld. 3 #8 April 20 - 4:00 PM Fld. 3 #9 If Necessary Champion
Haralson
Team
2023 GHSA SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP 6 | WWW.GHSA.NET Altama h a E MC • A micalola E MC • Ca r r oll EMC • Ce n t r al Geo rgia EMC • Coastal E lect r ic Coope r ativ e Colq u itt E MC • Co w eta-Fayette EMC • Di v erse Powe r • Excelsio r EMC • Fli n t Ene rgies • Grad y E M C G r ey S to n e P o w er • Haber sh a m E MC • Ha r t EMC • Ir w in EMC • Jac k so n E MC • J e f fe r son Ene rg y Georgia’s locally owned and operated Electric Membership Cooperatives are proud to sponsor the Georgia High School Association georgiaemc.com Middle Geo rgia EMC • Mitchell E MC • Oc mu lgee E MC • Oco n ee E MC • O kefe n o k e REM C Pla n ters E MC • Ra y le EMC • S las h P ine EMC • Snappi n g S h oals E MC • Southe r n Ri v e rs E ne rg y S u m ter E MC • T h r ee Notc h E MC • Upson EMC • Washi n gton EM C Little Ocmulgee EMC • Atlanta is where you swing for the fences. You inspire us to make banking easier, so we all have more time to enjoy life as we take our next step together. Regions Bank is proud to support the GHSA So ball Championships and GPB. 1.800.regions | regions.com We come together for every pitch. ATLANTA © 2023 Regions Bank. We offer solutions to make your job easier - giving you more time to make an impact. While we’re the best at equipping athletes, you’re the best at equipping lives... and that’s the real final score. Apparel • Uniforms • Equipment • Weight Room • Fundraising BSNSPORTS.com EVERY MINUTE WE SAVE YOU CAN BE SPENT CHANGING LIVES PROUD PARTNER OF
WEST LAURENS RAIDERS
JEFFERSON DRAGONS
1... Abbie Kinlaw .......... OF......................
OCONEE COUNTY WARRIORS
DODGE COUNTY INDIANS
HARALSON COUNTY REBELS
GRIZZLIES
SEQUOYAH CHIEFS
FRANKLIN COUNTY LIONS
WWW.GHSA.NET | 7 APRIL 19 - 20, 2023 0 Allie Crunkleton 1B/C 9 1 Kyleigh Robertson OF 9 2 Meghan Langley OF 9 8 Josie Burton OF 10 9 Madison Bryson 2B/SS 11 11 . Keely Emmons ......... C/2B .................. 9 12 Keegan Bell C/1B 9 13 . Peyton Dailey .......... OF.................... 10 14 Macy Moore OF 10 18 . Lenox Roberts ......... OF.................... 10 20 McCall Davis OF 10 21 Anzley Smith OF/P 11 22 Hayden McGee 3B/P 9 26 April Sorrow OF 9 28 Journey Roberts SS/3B 12 30. Saniya Heard.......... OF.....................11 31 Karson Johnson 1B 11 32. Honor Brown .......... UT .................... 10 44 Hannah Laverdiere OF 10 # NAME POS. GR. # NAME POS. GR. Head Coach: Cherokee Bell
1 Erin Miller OF 9 3... Madison Newport ... INF/OF............. 10 4... Abigail Gilcher ....... INF ..................... 9 7 Olivia Power INF 10 8 Reagan Hill OF 12 10 Julia Moore P/INF 10 13 Summer Bradford OF/P 10 14 . Sara Little ............... INF/OF............... 9 15 Logan Garry P/OF 9 16 . Aubrey Schreiner .... P/IF .................... 9 18 . Madison Gantt ........ INF ................... 10 22 Ella Byrd C/IF 9 23 Emma Brinkman C 12 25 Ava Fouts P/OF 12 27 Carly Todd C/OF 10 99. Harper Griffin ......... OF/P .................. 9 # NAME POS. GR. # NAME POS. GR. Head Coach: Lisa Chapman
0 Cassie Brundage P/IF 12 1... Bailey Schmidt ........ OF.................... 10 3 Emma Nix IN/OF 9 4 Autumn Purcell OF 9 5... Bailie Roberts .......... OF.....................11 7 Jordan Gramling IN/OF 11 8 Lauren Cantrell OF 11 9... Kate English ............ IF ..................... 10 10 . Anna Kate Turner .... IF ..................... 10 11 Sydney Neff IN/OF 11 14 Jesse Roland OF 9 15 . Alex Russo .............. OF.................... 12 18 Mallory Ruzicka IF 12 22. Melanie Brundage .. IF ....................... 9 23 Emily Pettit IF/OF 10 24 Maggie English OF 12 27 . Reagan Pastor......... P/OF ................ 12 31 Katie Lively IF 12 32 Abbie Burkett IF 11 33. Madison Thompson . IF ..................... 10 34 . Tristan Brady ........... IF ......................11 Anslie Pettit MGR 12 McKayla Cox MGR 12 # NAME POS. GR. # NAME POS. GR. Head Coach: Stacy Rich CREEKVIEW
2 Chloe’ Richardson OF 11 3 Zoe Hardeman OF 10 4... Anna Lane Coy ....... P/INF ................. 9 5... Kelsey Guest ........... OF.....................11 6... Maison Caraway .... OF...................... 9 7... Morgan Martin ....... INF ................... 12 8... Mary Catherine Kimball ... OF.....................11 10 . Madison Mills ......... INF ..................... 9 12 Erin Michalke OF 11 15 Allie Robinson INF 11 16 . Shaylin Preston ....... OF.................... 10 17 . Riley Mackey .......... OF.....................11 20. Ella Milner .............. P/INF ................. 9 22. Kensie Bell .............. P/INF ............... 10 25. Chandler Truitt ........ INF ................... 10 33. Gabbie McElroy...... P/INF ............... 10 # NAME POS. GR. # NAME POS. GR. Head Coaches: Kristen Padgett, Stephen Mitchell
8 Brooke Perdue IF 11 9 Cailyn Wise IF 9 10 Meg Lewis OF 11 11 Marissa Brown IF 10 13 Lauren Slaughter OF 11 14 . Anna Bowen ........... UT .................... 10 15 . Georgia Kate Jones . IN .................... 10 16 . Melena McDermitt .. IN .................... 10 17 Camryn Vaughn OF 12 18 Jimiah Durns UT 9 20 Mariah Flowers UT 11 21 Reagan Graham IN 11 # NAME POS. GR. # NAME POS. GR. Head Coach: Jennifer Bellflower
1 Jessica Joiner OF 11 2... Ava Roland ............. IF ..................... 12 4... Chloe Nece ............ UT .....................11 5... Dylana Barton ........ OF.................... 12 6 Josey Barton OF 9
2 Hannah Wiggins OF/C 10 3 Emalee Dyer OF 12 4 Allison Brown OF 10 7 Peyton Hawkins 2B 12 8 Averi Brown C 9 9... Kaitlyn Marsh ......... 1B/P ................... 9 14 . Lauren Sanders ....... OF.....................11 15 Omi Cheely 3B 9 16 Alexis Davis OF 11 17 Julie Azeltine OF/C 10 19 Kinlee Hagwood SS 10 23 Lyla Kate Long P/1B 12 77..Haley Fleming ......... OF.................... 10 # NAME POS. GR. # NAME POS. GR. Head Coach: Dawn Marais
9 2... Audrey Burton ........ P/3B ..................11 4... Reagan Hays .......... SS ...................... 9 5 Madison Hanchey P/OF 11 7 Addison Self C/OF 10 9 Avery Hays P/1B/3B 11 12 Maddyx Thornton OF 11 15 Ally Baldwin OF 9 16 . Brittany Woodall ..... OF.................... 10 17 . MacKenzie Cartwright .. OF.................... 10 18 . Alivia Gober ........... SS/OF ................ 9 20. Stephanie Schafer ... 2B .................... 10 21 Gillian Price OF 10 25 Ava Catledge C 9 27 Taylor Ledbetter 3B 10 28 Greysin Busch P/1B 12 42 Harli Hill C 9 # NAME POS. GR. # NAME POS. GR. Head Coach: Kacie Bostick
0... Maggie Marsh ........ OF...................... 9 1 Miley Harrison P/O 9 2... Katelynn Wilson ...... C/IF.................... 9 3 Tannah Cobb P/IF 11 4... Audrey Lord............ IF ..................... 10 5 Shayla Butler IF 9 6 Jaylee Giles IF 10 8... Ansley Scarborough IF ......................11 9 Halley Nobles OF 10 10 . McKenzie Maddox.. OF.................... 12 12 . Alyssa Jones ........... 1B/P ................. 12 14 Laney Allen 1B 9 15 . CheyAnn Phillips ..... P/IF .................... 9 17 Johniah Boston C/OF 11 21 . Makayla Register .... 1B/P ................. 12 22 Lily Lovett C/IF 11 23 Macie Hutto C 9 24. Leah Wells .............. IF ....................... 9 25 Stephanie Perry IF 11 32. Emilee Garrett......... P .......................11 # NAME POS. GR. # NAME POS. GR. Head Coach: Michael Thompson
2023 GHSA SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP 8 | WWW.GHSA.NET GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY. BE THERE WITH THE OFFICIAL DIGITAL TICKETING PARTNER OF THE GEORGIA HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATION Play for everything. Play for nothing. Play to join. Play to escape. Play to win. Play to learn how to lose. Play to prove. Play to improve. Play to show them. Play to show yourself. Whatever you play for, however you play. Play inspired. Bad behavior at high school athletic events has gotten OUT OF CONTROL. Are YOU part of the problem? Always be respectful, encouraging and positive. Let’s come together to #BenchBadBehavior for good! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! BenchBadBehavior.com
PAST GHSA SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL CHAMPIONS
APRIL 19 - 20, 2023 WWW.GHSA.NET | 9
Year AAAA AAA AA A 1981 Butler Heritage, Conyers Pike County East Coweta 1982 Butler Berrien Pike County Calhoun County 1983 Wheeler Ringgold Jackson Bryan County 1984 Wheeler Coffee Jackson Greater Atlanta Christian 1985 Butler Ringgold North Gwinnett Greater Atlanta Christian 1986 Warner Robins Ringgold Vidalia Bryan County 1987 Tift County Northwest Whitfield Jackson Greater Atlanta Christian 1988 Tift County North Gwinnett Rossville Chattanooga Valley 1989 Tift County North Gwinnett Ridgeland Greater Atlanta Christian 1990 Tift County Monroe Area Jones County Lincoln County 1991 Brookwood Ridgeland Jones County Bremen 1992 Roswell Ringgold Screven County Macon County 1993 Lithia Springs Northwest Whitfield Berrien Gordon Lee 1994 Campbell Ridgeland South Forsyth Calvary Baptist 1995 Sprayberry Ridgeland Houston County Greater Atlanta Christian 1996 Tift County Dublin Forsyth Central Bremen 1997 Warner Robins Dublin Dodge County North Forsyth Year AAAAA AAAA /AAA AA A 1998 N/A Wayne County North Forsyth Irwin County 1999 N/A Pope Appling County Telfair County 2000 Pope West Laurens Irwin County Jefferson Year AAAAA /AAAA AAA /AA A 2001 Pope Appling Co. Bryan Co. Year AAAAA /AAAA AAA /AA /A 2002 Pope Vidalia 2003 Pope Commerce Year OPEN EVENT 2004 South Cobb 2005 Pope 2006 Pope 2007 Pope 2008 Kell 2009 (Discontinued) 2017 Haralson County 2018 Haralson County 2019 Creekview 2020 (not held) 2021 Hart County 2022 Haralson County
