Defending-champion Creekview counting on youthful experience entering GHSA slow-pitch softball season

The GHSA slow-pitch softball season is one week away, when teams across the state are allowed to take the field for their first practice.

The season-opening contests are scheduled next Thursday, Feb. 13. Programs are instructed to complete area contests and report winners to the GHSA office by April 12 for the state championships April 16 and 17 at a location to be determined.

Lets look at where last season finished before glancing at the season ahead and some of the heavy hitters who will be involved.

For defending-champion Creekview, it returns youthful experience.

Creekview was forced to a decisive if game after losing to Jefferson 11-10 in the first game of the championship series last season. The Grizzlies secured the championship after a 14-3 victory in the do-or-die contest. The victory marked the programs second title after winning in 2019.

Saying we are state champions is an amazing feeling. These girls worked extremely hard, came together as a unit, and fought through adversity with and for each other. The 2019 state championship team was an extremely talented group. They were upperclassmen-heavy, so they had a lot of experience under their belt, Creekview head coach Jen Maloney told Score Atlantas Max Wolborsky after last years title victory.

This group is young but very talented, she said. Their team chemistry is unmatched. They stayed focused and brought it every game. Winning a championship helps to set the expectations for future teams, while allowing everyone on the team to gain experience and confidence that will take them into future seasons.

And those expectations and the gained experience will help the defending champions compete against 22 other teams across the state. The Grizzlies are placed in Area 3 this season alongside Cherokee, Haralson County, Osborne, Sequoyah and Woodstock.

Beach, Groves, Richmond Hill, Savannah and Windsor Forest are in Area 1 while Colquitt County, East Laurens, Hancock Central, Macon County and West Laurens compete in Area 2. Elbert County, Franklin County, Hart County, Jefferson, Johnson-Gainesville, North Oconee and Oconee County play in Area 4.

Returning for Creekview is Class of 2027 pitcher Kaitlyn Bleisath, who had a 3.9 ERA through last years title run. Also back is senior Emily Pettit, who batted .600 with 14 RBIs, one home run, three triples and two doubles in the tournament. Junior Mel Brundage also returns after a 10-hit, seven RBI state tournament last season.

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