This Augusta-area softball program is making its first Columbus trip with ace in the hole

Many teams around the state would love to add a superstar to their lineup heading into the state playoffs.

For Grovetown softball, that star is senior Lily Miller.

Miller has been the ace in the circle for the Lady Warriors for the last three seasons and after missing most of the year with a back injury, she’s primed to lead Grovetown to its first Georgia High School Association Elite Eight appearance.

After sustaining the injury during travel ball over the summer, Miller tried to play through it early on in the varsity season. Re-aggravating the injury, she came to the realization that sitting out would give her the chance to be healthy for the state playoffs – where she would be needed most.

Miller dominated top-seeded Marist in the Super Regional, allowing just a single run over 12 innings in two wins over the War Eagles. Entering the tournament in Columbus, she’s logged just 15.1 innings on the year.

“Past years when I’ve thrown more and more innings in the regular season, I haven’t been as fresh and sharp for the playoffs and we kind of fell short,” she said. “This year now I’m super sharp and ready for Columbus.”

Grovetown coach Kyle Cartledge’s assessment said as much.

“I think she was well rested, because Marist didn’t have a chance against her,” he said. “She dealt inside, outside, changeup, rise, every pitch she had was working.”

Back in Columbus: Former Atlanta Braves prospect leads his hometown softball program to glory

Depth has been the hallmark for Grovetown softball in 2023

While it’s never easy going through a season without a top pitcher, Grovetown (27-5) has proved it has the talent up and down the roster. Junior Maddy Harl (1.25 ERA) and sophomore Josalyn Sergent (2.47 ERA) combined for a perfect 9-0 mark over 34 appearances.

“What else that did for us was let us see how good Maddy and Josalyn were. It lets us know the two of them can carry the load for us next year,” Cartledge said. “It also gives me confidence that all three of them could throw some innings for us in Columbus. If we had Lily all season, I feel like it’d be a situation where we’re riding Lily this week. It gives me confidence that if something happens, if we need some innings out of Maddy or Josalyn, we can turn to them, and I’m not worried whatsoever.”

Those contributions translated over to the batting order, as well. Harl (.446 average, 13 extra-base hits and 29 RBI) and Sergent (.466 average, 10 extra-base hits and 29 RBI) were two of the top three hitters for the Lady Warriors all season. Sophomore Treasure Story is the third ingredient to this offensive juggernaut, leading the team in batting average (.480), extra-base hits (21) and RBI (35).

How a tough region pays off for Grovetown softball

With a 24-5 regular-season record, Grovetown entered the postseason as likely the best No. 3 seed in the state. In fact, the two teams that finished in front of them in Region 2-AAAAAA (Effingham County and South Effingham) will also be in Columbus vying for a state championship.

“We’ve lost five games, four of those were to schools that have Effingham in their name, and they’re both pretty tough. Some of those losses could have gone either way,” Cartledge said. “I was telling a few people last week I don’t mind being a No. 3 seed. Sure, it’d be cool to be a No. 1 seed and host, but one of the cool things about our region is that we were so strong and played so many good teams in the regular season, I think that really prepared us for that tournament at Marist.”

With two wins over Marist and a dominant effort over Woodward Academy, Cartledge and company wouldn’t have had things play out any differently.

“Those two games we played against Marist were two of the best games we’ve played all season,” he said. “I think having those three games with South Effingham, three games with Effingham really prepared us for a playoff push like we’re doing right now.”

As for the possibility of facing one of their region opponents later this week, Grovetown isn’t looking too far ahead. They’ll face Newnan in the tournament opener Wednesday at 1 p.m.

“With the girls, we’re focused on Newnan,” Cartledge said. “If you look at the bracket, there’s a chance our next game could be with South Effingham. That would be the fourth time against them and that would be kind of cool, but now we’re just focused on Newnan.”

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Lily Miller, Grovetown softball looking for first GHSA state title