Tattnall Square Academy Softball Player Gradie Appling Named ITG Next’s September 2024 Georgia Female Athlete of the Month
Tattnall Square Academy softball player Gradie Appling has been voted ITG Next’s September 2024 Georgia Female Athlete of the Month.
Appling, a senior, plays shortstop and hits leadoff for Tattnall Square Academy.
As a four-year starter for the Trojans, she has been a big part of the team’s success, which includes back-to-back appearances in the GIAA Class 3A state finals in 2022 and 2023. Unfortunately, TSA came up just short both seasons, losing to rival Westfield by one run in 2022 and by a 13-4 margin in 2023.
Appling was also named the GHSA Class 1A-Private Player of the Year for the 2021 season.
“Gradie has had a major impact on our team for all four years of her career at Tattnall,” Jordan Brooks, Tattnall Square Academy head softball coach, said. “I have had the pleasure of coaching her for the last three seasons, and it has been obvious at the impact she has made on the entire Tattnall Square softball program.”
Appling and her TSA teammates would love to get another shot at that elusive state title, and so far things are off to a great start. The Trojans are 18-5 overall after the first month of the season, including a 5-1 start in region play.
Appling is off to a red-hot start, leading the team in almost every offensive category. Through 23 games, Appling leads the team with a .565 batting average, .611 on-base percentage, 14 home runs, 20 stolen bases, 46 runs scored, 38 hits, 43 RBIs, and 1.212 slugging percentage.
Appling is second on the team in triples with two and second in doubles with nine. Molly Kemp leads the team in triples with three, and Reece Covington leads the team in doubles.
Appling also leads the team with a 1.000 fielding percentage.
Brooks said that Appling has worked hard, which is paying off for her and the team.
“Her success this year is a testament to her hard work and dedication to the game of softball,” Brooks said.
From the 2021 season through the current 2024 season, Appling has a total of 30 home runs with a .512 batting average across 62 games.
While Appling is hoping to end her final high school softball season with a state championship, it won’t be her last chance at a championship, regardless of what happens. Appling will be taking her talents to LSU, where she’ll play softball for the Tigers. Gradie has been verbally committed to LSU since September 2023.
In addition to softball, Appling also plays basketball for TSA.
Congratulations to Gradie Appling, our ITG Next Georgia Female Athlete of the Month for September 2024.
