A Season For The Record Books Lady Bulldogs Are State Runner-up
Courtesy of TCHS
What a week it was for the Lady Bulldogs softball team of Toombs County High School! It was another historic week for Toombs County athletics as the Lady Dawgs came home from the GHSA State Elite 8 Tournament as State Runners- up. They fought their way through four game to get to the State Championship but could not get past Gordon Lee in their bid for the title.
As a whole, this season was one for the record books for the Bulldogs. This group of seniors had a total of 77 wins in their four years at TCHS, capping it off this year with a record of 28-4. Star pitcher Shay Stringer set the single season record for strikeouts this year with 274, and holds the career record with 620. Both Nora Grace Mercer and Casey Cantwell both have over 100 hits for their careers at TCHS with Cantwell setting the season record with 45 this year. Cantwell also set the season record with 38 RBI's this year. They also set a record as a team with 16 home runs this season.
The Bulldogs went undefeated through the months of September and October this year and their run to the State Championship Game. And three of their four losses this year came to teams who won their respective State Championships.
The Bulldogs will be losing seven seniors, who have all made a huge contribution to this program and their run for the title. They will be losing Shay Stringer, Casey Cantwell, Nora Grace Mercer, Brinley Miller, Aniston Powell, Autumn Jarriel, and Giana Hamlin.
Head Coach Hayne Brant said, “When I look back at the 2024 season, I'll think about overcoming adversity at the beginning of the year. I had to miss a few games due to the passing of my mother, and my players and my coaches stepped up and continued to work hard in my absence. Then, of course, we had Hurricane Helene. After that terrible storm went through we had a few weeks off, but when we came back the girls really focused and overall I think it made us stronger as a group going through that together.
“Our seniors have meant so much to this team and also the tombs County Softball program as a whole. As coaches we always talk about having great teams with the seniors having helped build a culture and this group has done just that. They have given this program a shot of energy, and we can see the respect that we have garnered across the state. We will definitely miss all of our seniors and wish continued from page
them well in their future endeavors.
“I would also like to add, that I love each and everyone of our players, and they made it a joy to come to practice every single day. They always found a way to make each other smile and also make the coaches smile. What a fun group of girls to coach, and what a team to be a part of.” vs. ACE Charter
The Toombs County Lady Dawgs delivered an impressive performance on Wednesday, defeating the ACE Charter Gryphons 14-0, thanks to standout play by Casey Cantwell, who went 3-for-3 at the plate. Cantwell showcased her power with a home run to center in the second inning, followed by a single and a double in the fourth. In the circle, Shay Stringer was equally commanding, striking out 10 batters over four innings while allowing just one hit and two walks, holding the Gryphons scoreless.
The Lady Dawgs set the tone early, scoring in the first inning as Brinley Miller was hit by a pitch, driving in a run. In the second, the Lady Dawgs extended their lead with a two-run double from Nora Grace Mercer and a tworun homer from Cantwell, putting Toombs County firmly in control.
The offense surged again in the third with Mercer’s sacrifice fly bringing in another run. The fourth inning saw an eight-run rally on seven hits, including a two-run double by Emerson Powell, RBI singles from Taylor Bland, Aniston Powell, and Cantwell, and a run-scoring groundout by AJ Jarriel.
With 12 hits in total, Toombs County displayed patience at the plate, drawing eight walks to keep runners moving. The team’s defense was flawless, committing no errors. That set up the Bulldogs to take on Banks County in the second round of the tournament. vs. Banks Co.
Shay Stringer delivered an impressive performance on the mound, striking out 13 batters and leading the Toombs County Lady Dawgs to an 8-2 victory over Banks County on Thursday. Stringer was in command throughout the game, allowing only three hits and two runs over seven innings without issuing a single walk.
The Lady Dawgs opened their scoring in the top of the third inning with back-to-back home runs. Aniston Powell led the charge with a three-run blast to left field, putting Toombs County ahead and Cyleigh Ennis added her own solo shot to push the lead to 4-0.
Offensively, Toombs County collected 15 hits on the day. Emerson Powell, batting in the ninth spot, had a standout game with three hits in four atbats. Aniston Powell went 1-for-3 and led the team with three RBIs. Multiple Lady Dawgs contributed with solid performances at the plate, including Cyleigh Ennis, Natalie Quintero, Casey Cantwell, and Nora Grace Mercer, each tallying multiple hits. Defensively, the Lady Dawgs were flawless, committing no errors.
With this win, the Lady Dawgs advanced to the semifinal game against Gordon Lee on Friday. vs. Gordon Lee
In the semifinals of the winners' bracket the Lady Bulldogs met up with Gordon Lee. It was a tough matchup for Toombs as they fell, moving into the losers' bracket.
In their semifinal match against Gordon Lee, the Lady Dawgs showcased strong hitting with eight hits to match the Trojans’ seven, but fell short in an 8-0 loss. Taylor Bland and Nora Grace Mercer each contributed two hits, but the offensive effort wasn’t enough to overcome Gordon Lee’s late-game surge.
Gordon Lee’s scoring began in the sixth inning and continued with a sixrun explosion in the seventh. Shay Stringer pitched a determined game, striking out eight over six innings, but Gordon Lee capitalized with a few key hits and a grand slam late in the game.
The Lady Dawgs fought hard but couldn’t match the Trojans’ timely scoring. vs. Bremen
After the tough semifinal loss, the Lady Dawgs bounced back with an impressive 5-2 win against Bremen, propelled by a powerful performance from Stringer on the mound and clutch hitting from the lineup.
Stringer dominated, striking out 11 batters while allowing just two runs across seven innings. Aniston Powell and Casey Cantwell delivered big hits in the third inning, with Powell’s double scoring two and Cantwell’s double adding another. A wild pitch rounded out the inning’s scoring for Toombs County. That put Toombs on top 5-0, heading to the bottom of the third inning.
Despite a two-run homer from Bremen, the Lady Dawgs’ early lead and strong defense held firm, securing the victory and setting them up for the final championship game against Gordon Lee. vs. Gordon Lee Championship Game In the championship showdown, Gordon Lee jumped out to a quick lead with seven runs in the first inning, creating an early challenge for the Lady Dawgs. Despite the rough start, Toombs County rallied in spirit, with Stringer coming in for relief, pitching four and two-thirds innings and striking out six. The Lady Dawgs managed to get on the board with an RBI from Emerson Powell, and Stringer picked up a hit, but Gordon Lee’s early momentum proved too strong to overcome. The game ended in an 11-1 decision, with Gordon Lee claiming the championship title.
Toombs County’s historic season culminated in a State Runner-Up finish and a 28-4 record showcasing grit, resilience, and determination on the field. The Lady Dawgs will now set their sights on building on this milestone achievement in the seasons to come.
Aniston Powell hit a three-run home run to get the scoring started in the Lady Dawgs’ game against Banks County.Photo by TCHS
Cyleigh Ennis followed Aniston Powell’s home run with a solo blast of her own, going back-to-back, as the Bulldogs pulled away from Banks County.Photo by TCHS
Nora Grace Mercer fields a grounder and throws out the runner at first base during the Bulldogs’ matchup with Banks County.Photo by TCHS
