The 2021 Georgia Softball team that won just 34 games rode late season momentum all the way to the Women’s College World Series. Perhaps that’s why the 2022 and 2023 teams – which won 42 and 43 games, respectively – ended in disappointment when the Bulldogs were unable to recreate the magic felt in ’21.
The past two regular seasons certainly weren’t unsuccessful. The Dawgs made the NCAA Tournament in ’22 and advanced to the Super Regionals in ’23. Still, not stringing together a deeper run feels disappointing for a club from whom much is expected.
Enter 2024 Georgia Softball – coming in at #6 in the preseason rankings. This year’s roster lacks not when it comes to experience. Coach Tony Baldwin and staff return several key pieces from a season ago.
Pieces like All-American Jayda Kearney, who’s 19 home runs a season ago ranked 7th in the NCAA. Not far behind was Georgia’s Sara Mosley, who’s 17 homers landed her at 18th on the list. Kearney (.799) and Mosley (.718) both finished in the top 50 in overall slugging percentage. They each finished top 20 in total bases, too.
Other hitting and defensive staples returning this season include seniors Ellie Armistead and Sydney Chambley, Alabama transfer Dallis Goodnight and grad student Jaiden Fields, who seems like she’s been on the roster forever.
Indeed there’s plenty to look forward to in the 2024 lineup, but the Bulldogs also boast two of the most seasoned pitchers in the NCAA in Madison Kerpics and Shelby Walters. Walters finished with the 6th most saves in D1 a year ago, while Kerpics’ 19-7 record was good for 37th best in softball.
The comfort the current roster shares with one another is a big reason why the Dawgs are picked to fare well this season. It’s also why this year’s team has high expectations for itself.
“One of our team targets is to try and be in the top 8 of everything that we do,” said Baldwin. “The top 8 are the teams that host regionals and super regionals and are usually the teams that go on to the world series.”
“The statistics speak for themselves in terms of the percentage of teams that host super regionals and move on,” Baldwin added. “Somewhere in the neighborhood of 70% of super regional host teams move on.”
Georgia’s 2024 campaign kicks off when the Dawgs host the 4-team Red and Black showcase Feb. 9-11 at Jack Turner Stadium. Other than the Bulldogs, this year’s participants are Murray State, Purdue and South Dakota.