Colquitt County’s Lady Packers Finish in the Elite Eight
Six year head coach and 2021 class 1-7A Coach of the Year Chance Pitts and the Colquitt County Lady Packers finished up a successful softball season in Columbus on October 29, 2021. This was the second time that Coach Pitts has led the team to the Elite Eight, the first being in 2019.
The Lady Packers did fall short in Columbus as they lost to eventual state champion North Gwinnett 12-0 and Mill Creek 8-5. Though the Lady Packers did not bring home the coveted state title trophy, they still had a successful season as they won the class 1-7A region title and ended the season with a record of 25-5.
“The trip was short and sweet but we were excited and proud and blessed to go (to Columbus),” said Pitts.
Junior Emily Allegood was the staple for this team both defensively and offensively, as she was the class 1-7A Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year. Allegood finished the season with a 16-3 record, while striking out 90 batters in 93 innings. But, this team was filled with talent all over the field as they had nine other All-Region players. It was very nice for Coach Pitts to know he could always roll Emily out in the circle, but it was also nice knowing there were athletes behind her who were going to make the plays when needed.
Coach Pitts noted that while this particular team was very talented and confident in their own individual abilities, they loved and supported each other until the very end. Since the majority of these athletes have grown up playing recreational softball, all star softball and travel softball together, it was very easy for them to support and pull for one another. The athletes would even tell each other they loved one another after practice and team meetings.
“They were just excellent teammates all year and I really believe that was one key to our success,” said Pitts.
Looking forward to next season, Colquitt County will move into a new region containing Richmond Hill, Valdosta, Camden County and Lowndes County. The biggest change that is going to affect the Lady Packers is the distance they are going to have to travel for region opponents as both Camden County and Richmond Hill are more than three hours away from Colquitt County.
“We played a double-header at everybody’s place this year, but it might be different with the travel next year,” said Pitts.
The Lady Packers still expect to be very successful as they will return nine athletes, six of those being upcoming seniors, who played a vital role in this past season’s success. Coach Pitts and the Lady Packers softball team hope the 2022 season is the year the state championship trophy comes to Colquitt County.
Written by: Kennedie Weems
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