Softball playoff preview: ACE, Tattnall among top Macon teams headed for postseason

With most regions already finalized Tuesday, Macon’s softball playoff teams appear set for the 2024 tournament.

The chase for a state title on the GHSA side of things will look a lot different, according to ACE head coach and athletic director Josh McLendon.

“With the new power rankings, you’re not exactly sure who you’re going to play until right before the playoffs start,” he said. “The rankings are constantly changing, so you don’t get as much time to prepare, but I think we’ll be ready.”

The Gryphons certainly look ready. ACE firmly established itself as Macon’s best GHSA softball team this year with a stellar performance in a crowded region. After starting the season 2-3 through five games — those losses all came against higher classification opponents, including frequent state title contender Harlem — the Gryphons rattled off a 19-2 record.

ACE had a 20-5 mark and an undefeated region record Tuesday ahead of a stretch of three straight region games, putting them in great position to clinch a home playoff contest. Only the East Laurens Falcons, the second place team, stood in their way.

Though ACE fell in a thrilling game against the Falcons Wednesday night — East Laurens won 3-2 to tie the series despite ACE nearly coming back in the late innings, and the Falcons win the tiebreaker — the Gryphons will still enter the playoffs hot.

“I think we’ve prepared a lot as a team, and that tougher schedule against some really talented non-region teams helped us. We got off to a slow start but we found our footing,” McLendon said. “We’re playing very well right now, too… I think we played our most complete game of the year top to bottom against Peach County on Monday.”

ACE is no stranger to the state title games hosted in Columbus. The Gryphons won it all in 2021, and a group of four freshmen who started during that trophy run lead the 2024 team as seniors.

“They have that experience… and I think with that and how we fought this year, sometimes we play best with our back up against the wall,” McLendon said.

The A-Division I class has some powerful teams ACE could meet as they try to run the table. McLendon lists plenty, with longtime power softball schools like Gordon Lee — the Gryphons beat them for that 2021 title — and Vidalia, along with hot programs like Toombs County and Jeff Davis are also threats down the line in the final rounds.

But the Gryphons have to get to those endgame contests in Columbus first, and they eagerly await their first round assignment.

“We’re looking forward to it, but we’ve just got to focus on us,” McLendon said. “We try to get better every day. I’m sure the girls on the team are sick of hearing it from me and the coaches, but getting a little bit better every day… it’s about little things. Getting the bunt down, pitchers changing speeds, catchers making small plays, that’s important to us.”

ACE is not alone in the playoffs, however. Up at the 3A classification, Howard pulled together an impressive region performance to secure a third-place finish and grab a playoff spot. Head coach Danny Slaughter said it was a tough road.

“We started off hard with some of the really tough teams we were playing, but I intentionally scheduled some of those tougher opponents so we’d get better that way… We were either getting beat by a ton or winning big,” Slaughter said. “We’ve grown a lot since then, I think. I’m proud of them.”

The growth showed in the form of a 9-4 region record, impressive considering elite programs like West Laurens and, one of the teams referenced by McLendon as a big name, Harlem, sit atop the standings. The region showing also came after Howard went 2-9 to start the year.

Another piece of adversity to add to the list is that the Huskies are in a region with a slew of Augusta opponents. That means long bus rides in the Georgia heat.

“I think we’ve done well considering that,” Slaughter said. “Traveling a lot has kind of gotten us closer as a team, even if it’s been difficult. It’s a small team and they’ve done a great job.”

Slaughter is wary of the power rankings as well, but with experience on the road, the Huskies should be prepared to make an effort when Oct. 18 rolls around.

“I think it’ll be a road game for us with our current record in the region and all the power rankings, so I hope it isn’t too long of a trip, but we’ll be ready,” the head coach said. “It’s harder to prepare when your opponent isn’t finalized for a while, but we’ll be ready.”

Players to watch for the Huskies include Abby Davis, who had a standout offensive and pitching performance this year, as well as Abby Hardy, Anna Nash and Jayla Evans.

GHSA softball playoffs begin Oct. 16, with A-Division I and 3A games starting Oct. 18.

Tattnall secures region, full bracket still uncertain

The Tattnall Trojans proved to be the class of Macon’s GIAA schools in softball yet again, as the Trojans rolled to a region title this season with a 25-5 record.

That mark included going 9-1 in the region, although it wasn’t always easy.

“We’ve had a great year. We dealt with obstacles like every team does, and in the middle of the season we played some good teams but were not playing like ourselves,” Tattnall head coach Jordan Brooks said. “We didn’t play our best, but eventually we got over the hump and started rolling.”

The Trojans won their last nine consecutive games, dating all the way back to that bumpy midseason stretch Brooks mentioned. All of Tattnall’s five losses came in an eight-game span between the end of August and mid-September in which they went 3-5.

That included a loss to FPD, a Macon rival and a team attempting to knock them off the top of the region this season.

“FPD has been really good this year, Piedmont (Academy) as well, and Stratford has been right there in the mix,” Brooks said. “This year it’s been one of the toughest regions we’ve had to play in compared to the past.”

That first loss to FPD would be the only defeat the Trojans suffered in their region on the way to a title. The second time it met the Vikings, Tattnall raced to a 9-1 victory. 

The stellar record and strength of schedule should help the Trojans secure the No. 1 seed in GIAA’s eight-team 4A tournament, though nothing is finalized yet. Tattnall is certainly headed to Columbus with high expectations next weekend.

“They’ve made sacrifices for their teammates and played together all year. When we’re at our best, I think we’re a selfless bunch and that helps us win,” Brooks said. “Just focusing on us in that way will help us in the postseason. Anything can happen.”

The Trojan lineup is anchored by three seniors — shortstop Gradie Appling, infielder Brianna Logue and outfielder Molly Kemp — at the top of the lineup. Senior Anna Mary Talcott also plays a key role. Sophomores Reese Covington in right field and Bryton Tarver on the mound and at first base have made crucial contributions.

“To get to the top, you have to have girls at the bottom of the lineup who make an impact. You have to be able to turn it over with baserunners for the top of the order. That’s something we’ve done a great job at this year,” Brooks said.

Tattnall won’t be alone representing Macon up in Columbus, though. FPD and Stratford will also be there, though seeding isn’t finalized. The Vikings finished 18-7, while the Eagles went 13-12. With so many strong teams, Bibb County has a good shot at seeing a team reach the title bout.

The GIAA tournament begins Oct. 17.