Great Week for Gradie Appling — State Champion & Top 10 2025 Player “In God’s Timing” (Oct. 28, 2024)
By Brentt Eads
October 28, 2024
Gradie helped her high school team win a Georgia AAAA state title recently.
Great Week for Gradie Appling — State Champion & Top 10 2025 Player “In God’s Timing” (Oct. 28, 2024)
Last week was a good one for Gradie Appling, the outstanding senior softball player from The Peach State.
Gradie, a tremendous softball player from Juliette, Ga., helped lead her Tatnall Square Academy High team to the Georgia AAAA state title and was named as the division’s Player of the Year:
“My high school team and I are still celebrating a state championship from last week in Columbus, Georgia (GIAA 4A),” Gradie wrote to Line Drive Softball, “after coming in as runner-up for two years in a row.”
“I will forever remember winning that championship,” the young athlete continued, “because we had come up short two years in a row, but we continued to fight and came back stronger every year.”
“What I realized was that in was in God’s timing and the last two years just wasn’t our time. Family, friends, schoolmates all showed up at the championship game. Showed up and showed out. They were all supportive and got the chance to experience that with us.”
“I am (the GIAA 4A) Player of the Year and Region Player of the Year,” the athlete continues. “I give all the thanks to my teammate and coaches. We are truly blessed and I will always remember our State Championship game and being state champs.”
Gradie’s great individual run for both her club and high school programs was recognized as, last Friday, the talented senior was selected to the 2025 Line Drive Softball HOT 100 as one of the top Top 10 overall players in the nation:
Here is the complete text of her bio honoring her as No. 9 in her class:
Gradie Appling kisses the state championship trophy.
T-9—Gradie Appling, IF, Team North Carolina 18U – Hinde Gradie, an LSU commit, is a standout middle infielder but Head Coach Kevin Hinde comments: “She can play anywhere other than pitcher at the highest levels and has continued to improve. For Taattnall Square Academy in Macon, Ga., she holds many school records including most single season and career home runs, highest season and career batting average, single season and career extra base hits and more. Gradie is a three-time All-State honoree and has also shined at the club level where she batted .343 with a .455 on-base percentage against top 18U teams from around the country. For Team NC, she hit six homers and eight doubles while driving in 22 runs and scoring 31 runs herself this year. Coach Hinde adds: “She has been a staple in the middle infield for us making incredible plays with such a great range. Gradie can hit gap-to-gap, but also has tremendous power. She is a true 5-tool player who has consistently excelled at the highest levels of 18U.
“Thank you for ranking me 9th in the 2025 Hot 100,” Gradie wrote over the weekend, explaining how her strong teammate connections on Team NC also helped her have such a breakthrough season.
Tatnal Square won the Georgia AAAA championship.
“My teammates are awesome.” Gradie continued. “We have such a positive uplifting bond. Each and every one of my teammates contributed when they needed to and stepped up in clutch situations. They will forever hold a special place in my heart. This was my best year by far.”
