The Richmond Hill High School Lady Wildcats won last week's Georgia High School Association slow-pitch softball state championship. The title caps off a perfect season, during which the Wildcats went through the entire regular season and double-elimination state tournament without a blemish.
After clinching the number one overall seed for the playoffs, the Wildcats had to get straight to work preparing for the increased intensity of postseason play.
"We really had to talk through scenarios that we were going to see. Our pitcher, as great as she is, was used to the ways that balls are called in our area. We had to get them in the habit of scooching back in the box, all of the things that we anticipated seeing, that we saw last year in the playoffs. We tried to script all of those things," said Richmond Hill Head Coach Tiffany Gray
Richmond Hill had to return in the sixth inning or later in their last three games.
"Honestly, that was all the girls. I would say all of the girls on our team are leaders in some capacity or another. You've got the team mom, the infield leader, the outfield leader, the dugout queen who was doing cheer after cheer after cheer even when we're down by like 1000," said Gray.
In their quarterfinal game, the Wildcats trailed Jefferson County 9-3 before hitting a grand slam and a three-run home run in the same inning to win 17-11.
"It would not have been possible if they hadn't kept their spirits up, still cheering in the dugout, making routine plays, brushing it off when they make mistakes in the field, holding each other accountable, but also saying 'I've got you.' That was all the girls," Gray said.
Richmond Hill followed the thrilling win with a 6-5 victory over Sequoyah in the semi-finals and an 8-6 win over West Laurens to clinch the title.
"We were super super pumped. We went into the playoffs with a chip on our shoulder, so it was a proud moment of 'we do deserve to be here, we won fair and square, and we deserve this.'," said Gray. "Even from the school, people were cheering us on. I was getting text messages from teachers in different departments, in a different building, wishing us good luck, saying that they're following us and congratulations. For them to get that experience was great."
In addition to competing for championships in the spring, the Richmond Hill slow-pitch program is also all about development and connection, which can be a bonus for the fall fast-pitch season.
"Of course we want to defend the title [next year], but it's also just about developing well-rounded players. That's really why I started this program. It wasn't about going and getting a state championship, it was about developing the team, really just being out on the field with one another. And their culture, they just love each other, and they love the sport," Gray said. "Speaking from a fast-pitch perspective, I don't know why any program would not want to do this. It's so good for development."
Richmond Hill HS 24-25 Varsity Girls Slow Pitch Softball Roster
| # | Name | Position | Grade |
| 1 | Ashella Matias | So. | |
| 2 | Aubrey Whitehurts | Fr. | |
| 3 | Skylar Kinglesmith | So. | |
| 4 | Kiliegh Laurens | So. | |
| 5 | Gessilyn Clark | Fr. | |
| 6 | Aubrey Ragins | So. | |
| 7 | Reagan Watson | Fr. | |
| 8 | Margaret Reynolds | So. | |
| 9 | Lennon Monaco | So. | |
| 10 | Maggie Jenkins | Jr. | |
| 11 | Ainsley Washington | So. | |
| 12 | Riley Parker | Fr. | |
| 13 | Aubrey Villella | Jr. | |
| 14 | Aryianna Bigford | Fr. | |
| 15 | Lily Welch | Jr. | |
| 16 | Georgia McKey | So. | |
Roster as posted on MaxPreps.com
PHOTO CREDIT: Courtesy Richmond Hill High School Athletic Department Communication Department
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