Young, experienced Lady Jackets open play
Jeff Davis High’s 2021 softball team is young. Normally, young means inexperienced. But that’s not the case with the latest edition of the Lady Jackets softball team.
The team returns seven players who started at various times during the 2020 season, most of whom were freshmen last year.
Gone from last year’s team are shortstop Paige Carter, outfielder Bianca Torres, pitcher Kesleigh Poe and substitute Riley Mathis.
The 2021 Lady Jackets have only one senior, first baseman/designated hitter Alicia Lilliott who saw a lot of playing time last season.
Returning starters include juniors Kelsey Parlor (P) and Analese Poole (C/OF), and sophomores Kalleigh Sellers (C), Jaci Underwood (3B), Ella Wood (1B), Bentlee Metts (OF) and Jenna Miles (2B). In addition, several more returning players got in substantial playing time last season.
The Lady Jackets were 28-8 last year, finishing second to Vidalia in Region 2-AA. In the playoffs, they defeated Dodge County and Oglethorpe County before falling to Lovett 0-5, 4-1, 3-8 in the quarterfinals. Lovett went on the place second in the state to champion Heard County.
The team got the 2021 season underway last night (Tuesday) as they hosted Berrien County in a pre-season scrimmage game. The regular season opens tomorrow (Thursday) as Class 5A Coffee High visits Hazlehurst.
The Lady Trojans from Douglas posted a 22-8 record last season, finishing second in Region 1-AAAAA to Wayne County. They were eliminated from state play in the first round, falling to eventual state champion Jones County 8-0, 1-4, 1-7.
Head Coach Steven Wilcox said he will have no junior varsity team this year as he picked up only three players from last year’s middle school team and most of his sophomore class are returning varsity players who will again play varsity.
Roster
Name Pos Yr
Alicia Lilliott 1B/DH Sr.
Caitlyn Banks 1B/3B Jr.
Maeleigh Burns OF/P Jr.
Payton Thigpen OF/DH Jr.
Kelsey Parlor P/1B Jr.
Analese Poole Inf/OF Jr.
Laisha Hernandez OF So.
Jaci Underwood 3B/P So.
Jenna Miles SS/2B So.
Ella Wood 2B/1B So.
Addison Brewer So.
Kalleigh Sellers C/DH So.
Bentlee Metts OF So.
Kira Buford OF/C Fr.
Abbie Brewer Fr.
Jacie Jones OF Fr.
2021 Jeff Davis High Softball Schedule
Date Opponent Place Time
Aug. 3 Berrien (Scrim) Hazlehurst 5:30
8/5 Coffee Hazlehurst 6:00
8/7 Tattnall Tournament Reidsville TBA
8/12 Appling Hazlehurst 6:00
8/10 Pierce Hazlehurst 6:00
8/16 Wayne Jesup 5:30
8/18 Long Hazlehurst 6:00
8/19 Vidalia Hazlehurst 6:00
8/21 Heard (DH) Heard TBA
8/23 Telfair Hazlehurst 6:00
8/24 Swainsboro Swainsboro 6:00
8/26 Toombs Lyons 5:30
8/30 Coffee Douglas 5:30
8/31 Bacon Hazlehurst 6:00
9/2 East Laurens Hazlehurst 6:00
9/7 Vidalia Vidalia 5:45
9/8 Appling Baxley 6:00
9/9 Swainsboro Hazlehurst 6:00
9/10-9/11 JD Tournament Hazlehurst TBA
9/13 Pierce Blackshear 6:00
9/14 Toombs Hazlehurst 6:00
9/16 Bacon Alma 5:45
9/17 Berrien Nashville 6:00
9/21 East Laurens Dublin 6:00
9/22 Vidalia Hazlehurst 6:00
9/28 Swainsboro Swainsboro 6:00
9/30 Toombs Lyons 5:30
10/4 Bacon Hazlehurst 6:00
10/5 East Laurens (Sr. Night) Hazlehurst 6:00
10/6 Telfair McRae 5:00
10/12-14 1st Round Playoffs Higher Seed TBA
10/19-21 2nd Round Playoffs Higher Seed TBA
10/28-30 Elite 8 Columbus TBA
