Model Lady Devils Softball Has High Hopes with Youthful Group

Model has been right on the doorstep of earning a state playoff berth each of the last two seasons before falling just short.

The 2024 version of the Lady Devils are aiming to change that pattern.

Head coach Brett White said the goals are simple once again this season. He wants his team to improve off of what it did last season and be playing better softball in October than in early August to give itself a chance at a trip to the postseason.

Model lost several starters to graduation following the 2023 campaign, but White has multiple impact players returning to show the younger players the way. Georgia Womack, Sadie Raughton and Javia Samples are a key trio of upperclassmen who should have a big role in the Lady Devils’ success, while several others will need to step up their production for the team to reach its full potential.

The playoff race could be wide-open with a new classification and region for Model due to the GHSA’s reclassification, but every win will count from the start of the season to the end, with the playoff berths being decided by power rankings.

Team Capsule

Head coach: Brett White (fifth season)

Last year’s record: 10-13

Starters lost: 5

Key players: Georgia Womack (SS, Jr.), Sadie Raughton (IF, Sr.), Javia Samples (OF, Jr.), Lily Akins (OF/P, Sr.)

Season opener: Aug. 6 vs. Fannin County

Coach questions

RN-T: How has the summer gone so far and what have been the biggest things your team has focused on to get ready for the season through summer workouts and preseason practice?

WHITE: Our summer has gone well. We are going to be fairly young this year with only having two seniors. We have focused on a lot of teaching the way we do things and trying to get our young girls acclimated to our program.

RN-T: What do you feel is an area or areas of strength for your team going into the 2024 season, and what is an area you feel your team needs to improve the most?

WHITE: I think, defensively, we can be very sound. We are having to replace five seniors from last year that gave us a lot of production, so our biggest task is finding who can help pick up the loss of production.

RN-T: What are the keys for this year’s team to reach its full potential or, in other words, what are the things your team will hang its hat on in order to win games and reach your goals?

WHITE: In order for us to reach full potential, we are going to have to throw strikes, make routine plays and compete every at-bat.

RN-T: What are the overall goals and/or expectations for what your team wants to accomplish this season?

WHITE: Our No. 1 goal is the same every year, win more games than the previous season, make the playoffs and be better at the end of the year than we were at the beginning.