Credit Becky Taylor - Tifton Gazette
Who's the hottest athletic team in Tift County right now? The answer might be surprising.
The Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Fillies are currently carrying a 23-13 softball record, but as of recently, they have been on fire, winning 11 of their last 12 games. Four of the wins have been shutouts. The combined scores over the period are 83-17, or an average of 7-1.
ABAC will try to stretch that streak a bit further this afternoon in a home doubleheader against Chattahoochee Valley (Ala.). Game one starts at 1 p.m.
Adding to the spark of this streak is just how far the Fillies have come.
A year ago, ABAC finished 17-31. They did not finish quite in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association cellar, but had five fewer conference wins than the team ahead of them.
Today, the Fillies are older and wiser, said head coach Jennifer Walls. "We know what we're capable of doing."
Everything is coming together, she said, hitting, pitching and fielding. The players trust one another.
"I think the girls realize how great we are," she said.
Most of the production at the plate is coming from a bevy of sophomores. Shyann Dorough is hitting .396, Alexis Meadows sports an average of .342. Ashley Weesner has the second best home run total on the team (four) and Jamilah Johnson is tied for second on the club with 17 RBIs.
"Alexis has been lights out this season," said Walls. "You can see the maturity and growth." Walls dubs her "one of the best outfielders I've ever coached."
Walls said Dorough, a catcher, has progressed to the point that, "We have to have her in the lineup." If Dorough isn't catching, she's ABAC's designated player. Johnson, one of two key transfers (along with Sutton Bridges) can not only hit, but Walls said she is also one of the fastest players in the conference.
In addition to the sophomore leadership, the Fillies made a very huge high school signing during the 2017-18 year: Worth County's Taylor Layfield.
"Word has traveled she is a force to be reckoned with," said Walls.
Layfield pitches. She plays third base. She's the team leader in home runs (six), doubles (seven) and RBIs (23). Layfield is second in average at .375. Her work in the circle has been just as good. Walls called Layfield "a game changer."
ABAC's success at the plate, plus Layfield's pitching help has been a boon for another member of the team: Samantha Davis.
Davis was named the GCAA's Pitcher of the Week last week after going 2-0 and not giving up a singl earned run while striking out 11. She can now relax a bit pitching with the increased run support and too, Davis doesn't have to be perfect.
"She doesn't necessarily have to be on her 'A' game," said Walls.
This past week has been a break for ABAC, with no games since Mar. 24's doubleheader sweep at West Georgia Tech. The Fillies have practiced and scrimmaged throughout and with the non-conference games with Chattahoochee Valley, can ease back into things. They'll need to be at their best soon.
ABAC travels to Milledgeville Thursday for a doubleheader with Georgia Military College. The Lady Bulldogs are first to ABAC's second in the GCAA, sporting a 12-0 record. The Fillies are 9-3.
GMC has two wins against the Fillies this season, 1-0 and 5-4. Walls believes they should have at least split that series. Though she'd like to be on top of the conference standings, Walls said her focus is on finishing in the top four. If they do, ABAC qualifies for the conference playoffs.
The Fillies are 9-3 in the GCAA. Third place currently belongs to East Georgia at 8-6, fourth to Georgia Highlands at 7-7. The rest of the league is within striking distance; West Georgia Tech sits at 5-7, Andrew College is 4-8, Gordon State is 4-10 and South Georgia State is 3-11. ABAC has two regular season games remaining against each.
Walls said ABAC cannot rely on others to lose, but "making sure we peak at the right time." She said she's told her team they have to make their own destiny.
At this rate, the Fillies are well on their way.