THE FLATS – Georgia Tech softball will further its fall slate this weekend, taking a road trip down south for two days of competition. The White and Gold will first head to Columbus State for a 10-inning contest on Saturday at noon in Columbus, Ga., before rounding out the trip with a doubleheader at Gulf Coast State College on Sunday beginning at 2 p.m. in Panama City, Fla.
Columbus State concluded a successful 2023 season at 46-14 overall, going 24-3 in Peach Belt Conference play and 27-2 at home. The Cougars advanced to the PBC tournament championship and the southeast regionals, only falling to eventual PBC and DII national champions North Georgia in both. Gulf Coast State College, meanwhile, turned in a 29-21 overall record in 2023, going 10-10 in FCSAA play and 14-6 at home. The Commodores’ season ended in the Panhandle Conference play-in tournament as they fell to juco powerhouse Chipola College.
Georgia Tech enters its seventh season under coach Aileen Morales, bringing back 18 returners from last season’s squad. Chief among the notable returners a dynamic duo of right-handers in the circle in Blake Neleman and Chandler Dennis as well as the “walking web gem” serving as Tech’s vacuum in the middle, shortstop Jin Sileo. Also returning from a combination of last season’s regular starting lineups is a slew of Yellow Jackets, including third baseman Mallorie Black, outfielder Ella Edgmon, utility player Sara Beth Allen, outfielder Madison Dobbins, infielder Grace Connelly, designated player Emma Minghini, infielder Abby Hughes, outfielder Paige Vukadinovich and catcher Reese Hunter.
The stable of returners is bolstered by the Yellow Jackets’ recent recruiting class, composed of five highly-touted new Jackets. The class consists of three newcomers joining the collegiate ranks along with a pair of transfers in sophomore infielder Brionna Condon and graduate infielder Tiffany Domingue.
Morales will lead a retooled staff on The Flats in 2023-24 as she’s joined by assistant coaches Erin Dixson, Hunter Bunch and Kelsey Bennett as well as director of operations Deven Boland in prepping the Jackets on the diamond.
Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.
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