There are five states—Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma and Georgia—that play high school softball in the fall and, as part of a 12-week series covering the prep play in the Peach State, contributor and Georgia softball aficionado Steve Hickey is tracking the Road to Columbus: the pathway to the state championships in Columbus, Ga.

Here is Week 12 of the series…

Fire up the buses, put the Halloween candy on the front door stoop with a nice note, pack an extra Patagonia pullover, and let’s roll to South Commons, Columbus.

All tickets have been punched!

The second round of state playoffs installed an unforgettable four day stretch this week under continued dry, autumn skies in the Peach State.

There was more heart pounding action, comebacks, walk-offs, sweeps, upsets, and many a softball dad that was granted one more day in the sun with their favorite player.

Oh, the joy!

It was a busy week for this faithful reporter.  This is the last of my committed installments; yes, I still have many words and there is still so much to say so not fear. 

Buy 12, get 1 free.

I told Line Drive’s Brentt Eads a dozen articles, but I meant a Baker’s Dozen (13).  You will get one more boots-on-the-ground article next week from Columbus.   

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There are lot of questions about why Georgia runs their softball season in the Fall, and there are even more solid answers to why it works:

1. Softball is NOT girl’s baseball

When fastpitch was first introduced in the state of Georgia in 1994, Dunwoody High School won the first consolidated state championship.  Not all schools had the space or facilities to have both baseball and softball concurrently, so softball was held in the fall.  This allows the baseball teams to use the girls’ softball field in the spring. 

2. It’s more fun when its dry

August, September, and October rank as the 4^th, 3^rd, and 1st driest months of the year from a meteorological perspective, respectively.  October playoffs are typically subject to only 3.28 inches of rainfall during that month.  However, it has been my experience, that all of the rain shows up on the Wednesday of Columbus.  That is why organizers went from a three-day tournament in 2022, to adding a 4^th day to the tournament beginning in 2023.  With 64 teams and 7 fields, South Commons goes from exciting to total chaos when rain threatens.  That extra day was needed and may have added years of life to the tournament directors. 

3. Georgia owns the spotlight

It is difficult to argue that Georgia players do not get a monopoly of recruiter’s attention in the fall, and especially in Columbus.  There are only 5 states that play fall ball, and there are approx. 6,800 high school girls that play softball in the state.

By the time competition is distilled, and you get best on best, the environment is ripe for colleges to show up during the week and evaluate prospects in games that really mean something.  

After 11 weeks of pursuit and endless media accreditation, I finally caught up with nationally top-ranked Buford Wolves Head Coach, Trent Adams, who is guiding his team back to Columbus for the 21^st consecutive season. 

Prior to the second round, he told me if they sweep, we could do my interview.

Sorry, Grovetown, I was rooting against y’all, but it’s not like I had anything to do with it.  Pitcher Caroline Stanton one-hit them and another standout hurler Addie Rackley backed that up with another one-hitter.

Needless to say, I was press corps ready Monday night. 

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Steve Hickey: How did you get to Buford? 

Coach Trent Adams: I played baseball until I couldn’t and came to Buford to coach baseball.  I was asked to lead the fast pitch program, and I accepted.  I never thought this sport would last.  The West Coast did fast pitch, but it was so new in the south, I never thought it would have the success it has earned to now.  I still coach baseball, but it takes me a couple of months to changeover and relearn each sports rules and nuances.

Tell us about your Senior Class…

Everyone knows Caroline Stanton.  She is on the U.S. Women’s U18 National Team, she is committed to Florida and is a great kid.  Our program is blessed to have her.

But she took a sabbatical several weeks back as we went through the meat of our schedule, and we needed everyone else to step up and they did, especially these three:

* Addie Rackley is committed to LSU and she is a fantastic player and leader and never misses a chance to field the play.  She pitches, has nasty stuff, and provides a totally different look than Stanton.

* Summer Castorri is committed to Georgia Tech, bats second in the lineup, runs down all the gaps plays in the outfield, and is a five-tool player.

* Kadyn Gabriels is committed to the University of South Carolina, she plays third base and has power from pole to pole.

Our program is lucky to have these four ladies show the way and lead us to Columbus again.

After going to Columbus for 21 consecutive years, tell our readers what to expect in this week…

After a long season, we scheduled the hardest teams we could imagine all season long knowing we haven’t accomplished anything yet.

We wanted to go find other big schools that went to Columbus last year so we could sharpen the saw and get ready for that type of competition and atmosphere.

But, there is no imitation, there is no pressure, like Columbus pressure.

The fans are wild and there are college coaching staffs in full colors everywhere.  And to top it all off, it is the best eight teams in the state trying to take you down.

The Friday afternoon winner’s bracket showdown is always the most pressure packed game of the tournament and I am just trying to practice breathing and find a way for the girls to enjoy themselves.

You never know when it’s going to be over.  You need some good luck, some good bounces, some good calls, and oh yeah, you need your girls to play their hearts’ out!  

Your first-round opponent is North Cobb High.  After completing an undefeated season and cutting through the first two rounds of playoffs, how do you keep your team grounded and focused on that first game?

We have lots of respect for North Cobb.

Our coaching staff exercises humility, and we never try to get up for a game or you risk being down for a game so we practice to the stopwatch and maintain our standards in how we practice and how we play.

We played North Cobb in the regular season, and they are led by a sensational player, Leah Byrd, who is an Auburn recruit.  We have a lot of respect and appreciation for that team, and they have our full attention on Day 1.

Buford and East Coweta seem to have separated themselves from the rest of the competition.  This Civil War lurks on the horizon and there could be a 3:30 pm winner’s bracket game on Friday.  Tell me about that rivalry.

We have been banging heads against East Coweta for the past four years and beyond.

When you ask about the best pitchers in the country, Caroline Stanton and Jada Savage are top of the list.

We lost to them last year, and when our girls walked off that field last year, there was a lot of sadness and anger that we let it slip through our fingers.  The way last season ended has been our motivation all year long.

And now, we are on the way to Columbus and we must now go once more into the breach.

Aside the from the trophies and the winning, what is your favorite memory from Columbus?

My daughter played for me from 2016 through 2019, and we went to Columbus each of these seasons, and I will always remember her playing well for me down there.  I just didn’t want to screw things up, and I try to share with other fathers to enjoy the experience.

Softball does not last forever, and then what?  I still have a great relationship with her and she stays involved with me as a community coach for the program.

If you were Georgia High School Association (GHSA) Executive Director for Softball for a day, what would you do differently about Columbus?

I love Columbus.  The town really rises up to host a special event for the teams, families, and players.

It is a special experience.

It’s just a really crowded and busy time of the calendar, and it is hard for other students and other families to take time off and go to South Commons.

I am torn on this issue.

There are real merits to both sides of the conversation about playing in Columbus or hosting all games at your home field.

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Playoff Recap – 2^nd Round of the Playoffs 

There were 56 series in the second round of the playoffs for a total of 122 games and this round had much more chaos, as there were 27 upsets in the 56 series.

Independently, there were still a high number of sweeps, as there were 35 of them in the 56 series.

Also, there were six road underdogs that dropped Game 1 to the higher seed, and bounced back to take the series.

Class 2A Callaway is our lowest ranked team headed to Columbus at No. 27 in their classification.  And our Cinderella darling in 1A from the 1^st round, Thomasville continued their hot streak by taking down the overall #1 seed in their bracket.

Let’s go ladies!

— Steve Hickey for Line Drive Softball

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Private – Brackets and Results HERE

Five of the eight series were sweeps and three of the eight series were upsets as the lower seed toppled the favorite.

Congratulations to Whitefield and Holy Innocents for their first trips to Columbus.

• #1 Wesleyan swept their way to Columbus with a 15-0 and 14-2 beating of Landmark Christian
• #9 Whitefield upset #8 Kings Ridge to advance 11-3 and 10-9
• #12 North Cobb Christian pulls the upset on #5 Mt Paran in 3 games, 6-3, 2-10 and 15-7, becoming only 1 of 5 across all playoff classifications to be the road team to lose the first game and rally for the 2^nd and 3^rd
• #4 Prince Avenue hammered #13 Trinity Christian 12-0 and 23-2.
• #3 Holy Innocents swept #19 Christian Heritage 6-5 and 7-3.  Congratulations to Coach Mitch making an impact!
• #11 Providence Christian upset #6 Lovett in a rousing sweep 17-3 and 16-4.  Lovett had way too easy of a regular schedule.
• #7 Mount Vernon had to come from behind and walk off game #1 and swept #10 St. Francis 8-7 and 18-8.
• #2 Hebron Christian announced their title aspirations with a convincing sweep of #15 Savannah Christian 8-0 and 21-0.

*** Private – Columbus Tournament Brackets are now set!  Click HERE 

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1A Bracket and Results HERE

Four of the eight series were sweeps and four of the eight were upsets as the lower seed toppled the favorite.

• #17 Thomasville continues its underdog bid by toppling #1 Elbert County11-6, 9-11, and 11-8.
• #9 Dade upset #8 Lamar 2-3, 7-8, and 10-7. Dade becomes only 1 of 6 teams across all classifications that was a road underdog and lost the first game and rallied to win the 2^nd and 3^rd
• #21 Amuchee upset #5 Social Circle 2-3, 11-10, and 7-0. Amuchee becomes only 1 of 6 teams across all classifications that was a road underdog and lost the first game and rallied to win the 2^nd and 3^rd
• #4 Bacon won 9-1 and 11-3 over #13 East Laurens.
• #3 Gordon Lee swept #14 Heard County 10-2 and 12-2.
• #11 Toombs upset #5 Vidalia 7-3, 8-9, and 3-2.
• #10 Banks upset #7 ACE Charter 1-0 and 12-4
• #2 Bremen beat #15 Jeff Davis 5-0 and 9-6

*** 1A – Columbus Tournament Brackets are now set!  Click HERE 

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2A Bracket and Results HERE 

Seven of the eight series were sweeps and four of the 8 were upsets as the lower seed toppled the favorite.

• #1 Appling swept #17 Jackson 7-6 and 6-2
• #9 Cook upset #8 Rockmart 10-7 and 4-3
• #21 Crisp County upset #5 Shaw 12-4, 5-16, and 11-3.
• #13 Pierce swept #4 South Atlanta 16-0 and 18-0.
• #3 Morgan County swept #14 Hart County 12-0 and 14-0.
• #27 Callaway swept #11 Columbus 12-3 and 6-5.  Callaway is the lowest remaining seed across all classifications.  Great news Callaway, the shoe fits.  You are going to Columbus as Cinderella.
• #7 Pike swept #23 Hardaway 16-0 and 18-0.
• #2 Sonoraville swept #15 Union County 1-0 and 11-0.

*** 2A – Columbus Tournament Brackets are now set!  Click HERE  

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3A Bracket and Results HERE

Five of the eight series were sweeps and six of the eight were upsets as the lower seed toppled the favorite.

• #17 Monroe Area upset #1 Jefferson 9-6 and 12-9
• #9 West Laurens upset #8 Cairo 8-6 and 8-1.
• #12 SE Bulloch upset #5 Lumpkin 0-15, 5-3, and 1-0.  Congrats to SE Bulloch for that game 1 turnaround.  SE Bulloch is 1 of 6 teams to rally from a game 1 defeat and win the series as the underdog.
• #13 Heritage upset #4 Harlem 10-3, 2-11, and 16-5.
• #19 Pickens upset #3 Long County 5-3 and 9-8
• #11 Cherokee Bluff upset #8 Mary Persons 7-1 and 7-3
• #10 North Hall swept #26 Oconee 10-4 and 14-3.
• #2 Lafayette beat #18 4-3, 2-3, and 2-0

*** 3A – Columbus Tournament Brackets are now set!  Click HERE

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4A Bracket and Results HERE 

Five of the Eight series were sweeps and only two of the eight were upsets as the lower seed toppled the favorite.

• #1 Pace Academy beat #2 Walnut Grove 9-1, 8-9, and 8-7.
• #2 Central, Carrol swept #1 OLA 5-0 and 7-2.
• #1 Cartersville upset and blanked #3 Madison 3-0 and 10-0.
• #1 Kell swept #2 St. Pius X 6-0 and 7-4.
• #1 Harris County swept #2 Cambridge 5-1 and 11-8
• #1 Wayne County outlasted #2 Allatoona 3-10, 6-4, and 8-4
• #2 Union Grove upset #1 Marist 7-6, 10-11, and 10-5
• #1 Eastside swept #3 Cedartown 12-4 and 7-4

4A – Columbus Tournament Brackets are now set!  Click HERE  

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5A Bracket and Results HERE

Five of the eight series were sweeps and only three of the eightwere upsets as the lower seed toppled the favorite.

• #2 Jackson upset #1 Lanier 12-7 and 9-4
• #1 Houston swept #3 S. Paulding 11-3 and 9-0
• #2 S. Effingham upset #1 Milton 12-2 and 10-1
• #1 Lassiter swept #2 East Paulding 8-2 and 12-1
• #2 Creekview upset #1 Northgate 2-4, 8-1, and 4-0.  Creekview was 1 of 6 teams to lose game 1 on the road and coming back to win the series.
• #1 Effingham County won against #2 Seckinger 6-10,  Wayne County outlasted #2 Allatoona 6-10, 6-3, and 6-5
• #2 Veterans upset #1 Alexander 11-1, 6-7, and 10-0
• #1 Loganville swept #3 Roswell 8-4 and 16-0

5A – Columbus Tournament Brackets are now set!  Click HERE  

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6A Bracket and Results HERE

Five of the eight series were sweeps and four of the eight were upsets as the lower seed toppled the favorite.

• #1 Archer beat #2 Dacula 9-8, 16-8, and 14-2
• #1 East Coweta swept #3 Cherokee 3-0 and 2-0.
• #2 Richmond Hill upset #1 North Gwinnett 6-2 and 4-3.
• #2 North Paulding upset #1 North Forsyth 14-8 and 11-3
• #4 Walton upset # 2 Denmark 9-4 and 11-3.  Walton is the lowest seed advancing in this bracket and has earned the Cinderella moniker for the 6A classification.
• #2 Brookwood upset #1 Tift County 1-5, 4-1, and 5-4. Brookwood is 1 of 6 teams that lost the first game on the road and came back to win the series.
• #1 North Cobb held off #2 Carrollton 9-11, 10-5, and 6-4
• #1 Buford swept #2 Grovetown 9-0 and 10-0

6A – Columbus Tournament Brackets are now set!  Click HERE