LaFayette looking to maintain its momentum
The past two seasons have seen the LaFayette Lady Ramblers take a big step on the state fastpitch softball stage with back-to-back appearances in the Elite Eight in Columbus.
And while they were not able to breakthrough with a Region 6-AAAA championship in either of the last two years, they proved that they could more than hold their own against region stalwarts Northwest Whitfield and two-time defending state champion Heritage, as well as against other top programs in the state.
Now it’s time to see how they stack up in a new classification and a new region, albeit one that could prove equally as tough. Enrollment figures and reclassification have dropped the
Orange-and-Black down to Class AAA and landed them in Region 6, another traditional hotbed for softball.
Even though LaFayette won’t have to deal with the likes of multi-time state champion Calhoun, who was bumped up to Class AAAAA, the Lady Ramblers will have to get past the likes of defending Class AAA state champion Ringgold and a very good Rockmart team that has gone 122-15 in the last four seasons with four region titles, three Elite Eight appearances, a third-place finish and one Class AA state title (2017).
They will also have to navigate those waters without four graduated seniors, including their top two starting pitchers from last year, who all went on to sign college scholarships. However, if some new arms emerge, a solid nucleus remains that could keep the Lady Ramblers in contention for a state berth and possibly a region championship.
It will certainly be tough, especially when LaFayette — like every other team in the state — is still playing catch-up from dealing with a delayed preseason due to COVID-19. However, head coach Meagan Base said she used things, like Google Classroom, in order to stay in contact when they weren’t able to be together as a team to try to keep softball in the forefront of her players’ minds.
“Once we were able to get going in June, we just did our conditioning outside on the track, but we’ve had great attendance and everyone’s been in good spirits,” she said. “Once we started being able to use softballs, we were able to actually start practice, so we’re just doing the best we can out here, all with smiles. The (players) have really worked through it and they understand all of the protocols and everything. It’s been interesting, that’s for sure.
“A bunch of them did get to start some summer ball action near the end of the summer, so some of them have kind of gotten back into the swing of things. But we haven’t had a lot of time to work with them (prior to their first game of the season).”
Base will be depending on the talents of four seniors to help lead the team.
Madi Ashley is back for her fourth year as a starter behind the plate. She batted .317 a year ago with nine doubles, two homers and 22 RBIs, while returning starting shortstop Railee Lynn will also be able to supply some power after hitting .330 with seven doubles, six homers and 22 RBIs to go with 27 runs scored a year ago. Both players were first team All-Region picks in 2019.
Second team All-Region selection Carlee Corbin has played multiple positions in her previous three years in the program. She will again see most of her time in the outfield this season and hit .320 with eight doubles, a pair of triples, 27 RBIs and 26 runs scored last fall. The final senior, Miccaylah Thompson, who has battled through some injuries during her time at LaFayette, will see time at first base in her final season in orange and black.
“We lost four really big athletes from last year,” Base said of her seniors. “They know that and they’ve taken it upon themselves to make sure everybody’s at practice and doing everything they need to do to make sure we can try to get back to the playoffs in a new region this year. I think (our seniors) will do a good job this year.”
The juniors will include Heather Tucker and Skylar Eaton, a pair of speedy outfielders, who will pose problems on the basepaths for opposing defenses, while Summer Burkett is a solid all-around utility player who will see the majority of her time on the infield this year.
One pitcher who will be counted on a lot this season is Abby Sansing, who will see her innings greatly increased from last year, while the class is rounded out by Macy Martin, another solid utility player, who will add depth at third base and in the outfield.
Among the sophomores, Haynie Gilstrap was an AllRegion honorable mention pick last year after batting .275 with two doubles, a homer, 14 RBIs and 18 runs scored. She can play on the infield, but will see the bulk of her time in the circle this season. The class continues with Haven Yancy, who will move to third base after seeing a good deal of action at first in 2019, and Kayli Ballard, who will add to the Lady Ramblers’ outfield depth.
Four freshmen will complete the roster. Jaselyn Couch can play both at shortstop and in the outfield. Rylee Gamlen is adept at first base and behind the plate, while Abby Gaoa and Suki Williams are both pitchers. Williams is also a candidate to see at-bats as a designated hitter.
Base said she has confidence in her team’s defense to make the plays and provide support for the pitchers, who have the biggest shoes to fill from last year.
“I think our strength is going to be our defense,” she added. “We have good pitchers, but they’re not necessarily strikeout pitchers. They are more pitch-to-contact pitchers, but we have a good defense behind them and I’m excited to see them get a little more work in than they have in the past couple of years.”
Despite a drop in classification, the Lady Ramblers’ region will once again be one of the best in the state and Base said her team will have to do the little things right to have a chance to win.
“I think I’ve said it the last three seasons, but we’ve got to continue to do things right, especially now that we’ve lost some of our big bopper hitters,” she continued. “But I’m excited for them this year. We’re excited to see the leadership come out in our girls.
“It’s going to be a tough region to get back into the playoffs, that’s for sure. We’re going to have to compete every game and we can’t take any games off. There are no for sure wins, not in this region.”