Glascock’s softball tradition of excellence was on full display during the Lady Panthers state runner-up season last Fall, ending in a loss to eventual champion Lanier County. With the loss of a deep senior class, Panthers Coach Johnny Cantrell believes experience, resiliency and consistency will be the key to success during their 2024 campaign.
“The team’s resiliency and ability to perform under pressure (are real strengths on the returning squad),” Cantrell said. “We played games and in four series against seven other schools who were also in the Elite 8 throughout the season.”
The 2024 Lady Panthers underclassmen had a front row seat to the determination and perseverance that it takes, and those that were role players last year are being transformed into the catalysts of this year’s team. That transformation isn’t always seamless.
“At a smaller school whenever you graduate multiple starters, figuring out positions going into the season is critical,” Cantrell said. “Which is why having everyone at workouts throughout the summer is so important.
“We currently have 15 players on our roster without a JV, so we are trying to develop depth through positional flexibility. We graduated 4-year starters in Left, 3rd base, short-stop and pitcher. Replacing those premium positions is always tough, but I believe we have young ladies who are more than capable of succeeding in their new roles.”
Returning starters include seniors, Alexiana Mitts CF, Hannah Taylor 1B, Zanya Harris LF; juniors, Ansley Clark SS, Morgan Chalker 2B/P, Payton Parrish C, and sophomore pitcher Jaleigh Williford. Newcomers on the 2024 team include sophomores Emmelyne Rayburn 2B, Paige Waters OF, Jocelyn Perry OF, Tegan Moberg OF: freshman Angel Mitts OF, Alyssa Clark 1B and Jocelyn Wilson IF.
“When we played our first summer game, we had one player who was in the same position they played during the State Title Game the previous year. Some of that was due to injury and summer vacations but there was certainly an adjustment taking place. We have had really solid participation throughout the summer and I feel like the team chemistry has started to really come together the closer we have gotten to the end of the summer,” Cantrell said.
Graduation took the Lady Panthers pitcher, shortstop, left fielder, and third baseman. All integral positions on the diamond, but Cantrell is readily finding players to fill those positions especially in the pitchers circle.
Williford earned her fifth career win and started this season 1-0 in the Lady Panthers’ opener, shutting out countyline-rival Jefferson County, 15-0.
“We will feature sophomore Jaleigh Williford in the circle but also have junior Morgan Chalker who can come in and be effective for us as well. Behind the plate will be junior, and now three-year starter, Payton Parrish,” Cantrell said.
Even with last year’s veteran line-up, Glascock is still working to remain consistent at the plate.
“I am hoping we are capable of hitting for contact, power and also have the ability to play small ball when needed,” Cantrell said. “If we are able to consistently hit the ball hard, whether it goes in a gap, through a hole or over the wall we certainly give ourselves a chance to be successful. We work the small ball aspect of the game every day as well.”
Glascock remains in Region 5-A DII and the region still consists of Georgia Military Prep, Johnson County, Wilkinson County, Twiggs Couny and added GSIC out of Hepzibah this season. Non-region competition has helped the Lady Panthers ready themselves for the tougher teams they face in the postseason.
“Region games are always going to be the most important with how the playoffs for our division are set up. Aside from those we have tough tests against Greenbrier, Evans, Harlem, Vidalia, Briarwood Academy, Thomson, Washington-Wilkes, Lincoln County and Jefferson County,” Cantrell said.
As the 2024 campaign gets going in earnest, Glascock hopes to continue building off the strong foundation and tradition that has been successful in the past.
“We are hoping that we can build consistency early in every facet of the game. Our team has showed flashes of being a really good ball club, we just have to be at our best, each and every night,” Cantrell said.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Lady Panthers newcomers look to keep Glascock softball rolling
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