Richmond Hill High School's junior Lily Welch has been named one of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's 2024-25 High School Athletes of the Year and is the Slow-Pitch Softball Player of the Year. For Welch, this award capped off an outstanding slow-pitch softball season that ended with a Georgia High School Association (GHSA) all-classification state championship for the Richmond Hill High School Slow-pitch softball team and a perfect 17-0 team record.
Photo (l-r): Richmond Hill’s Lily Welch (fifth from left) holds the championship trophy alongside her teammates after winning the GHSA all-classification slow-pitch state title. (Photo via GHSA)
Welch played a pivotal role in the title-clinching 8-6 victory over West Laurens, where she delivered both at the plate and on the mound. Lily rose to the occasion, facing the last three batters with the tying runs on base, and managed to keep them from scoring. Earlier in the game, Welch collected two hits and scored what turned out to be the game-winning run in the top of the seventh inning.
Welch had a great season at the plate. She recorded nine home runs, including a solo homer, during a nail-biting 1-0 victory in the second round against Elbert County. Beyond her slow-pitch abilities, she also plays a significant role on the Widcats' fast-pitch team. She is the catcher on Richmond Hill's fall fast-pitch softball team, highlighting her versatility and leadership across different types of softball.
Photo: Richmond Hill players celebrate after clinching the GHSA Slow-Pitch Softball State Championship. The Wildcats completed a perfect 17-0 season. (Photo via Richmond Hill Athletic Department)
Welch was the only athlete from the Coastal Empire area to earn a spot among the AJC's high school athletes of the year, making her recognition even more meaningful. Georgia's largest circulated newspaper honored her elite play and the growing impact of slow-pitch softball Coastal Empire athletes on the state stage.
Photo Credits: Richmond Hill High School Athletic Department and Lily Welch Social Media pages
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