Seven wins in 2021 were the fewest for the Lumpkin County softball program since at least 2009. That snapped a streak of five straight seasons of making the state playoffs, as the Lady Indians had done every year from 2016-2020, and made the Sweet 16 in 2020 and Elite 8 in 2019. This year, the girls and 9th-year head coach Joseph Jones seek to show that last season was a minor bump in the road, with eyes on getting back to the playoffs, and perhaps winning a region title for the first time in softball.

Head Coach: Joseph Jones, 9th season
2021 Record: 7-17, No Playoffs

“I expect us to be very competitive this year,” states Jones. “We have some really competitive young players who we expect to push each other day in and day out and compete for multiple positions.”

Personnel

Key Departures: 8 Seniors. Emmie Graham, Kloee Graham, Haley Sparks, Amma Johnson, Brooke Temples, Kelsey Marshall

“We lost eight seniors last year,” says Jones. “Emmie Graham and Kloee Graham logged most of our innings in the circle. Both of them also played first base. Second baseman and leadoff hitter Haley Sparks; shortstop, three-hole hitter Amma Johnson; center fielder, two-hole hitter Brooke Temples; left fielder, Kelsey Marshall.”

Key Returning Players: Natalie Shubert, Hailey Mincey, Sydney Moore, Morgan Petersen

Shubert is the senior leader on this team. She’s coming off a year in which she hit .481 with 37 hits, and had a homer and 20 RBI. She doubled eight times, and reached base at a .518 clip.

“We return four seniors who all have good varsity experience,” adds Jones. “Three-year starting catcher who hit in the four hole last year Natalie Shubert. Natalie will be spending a lot of her time in the circle this year. Starting third baseman Hailey Mincey. Starting right fielder Sydney Moore. Returning varsity player, catcher/first baseman Morgan Petersen who has hit the ball well this summer.”

Strengths & Areas of Focus

Strengths: “We should be very competitive in the circle and behind the plate,” says Jones. “We have a good core with our senior hitters coming back and some younger kids who handle the bat very well.”

Focusing On: “We have really been focusing on the mental aspect of the game with our younger players,” says Jones. “Little things like where to be in each position in every situation. Backing up bases and things of that nature. Some of this is an adjustment for some of them, but they are adapting well to situations and the speed of the game.”