CANEY BAY — Brantley County’s softball program is under the direction of a new head coach following the resignation of Zac Anderson.
Brantley County alum Kayla Nance begins her first year at the controls after Anderson led the program for nine years beginning in 2015. The Lady Herons were 137-115 under Anderson winning the 2019 Region 2-AAA title after reaching the 2018 “Final Four.”
“This wouldn’t be possible without the Lord’s guidance and the support of my husband, Wesley,” said Nance.
She is entering her eighth year as a teacher/coach in the Brantley County School System after graduating from Middle Georgia State University. Nance graduated from BCHS in 2012 after a four-year career with the Lady Herons.
Nance served as an assistant to Anderson with the softball program and also served as an assistant basketball coach.
“It’s a huge step moving up to head coach,” said Nance. “As an assistant I helped with the field and practices and wrote out a lineup. Now, I have to do everything from paperwork to ordering to organizing practices, setting up the booster club and a lot of other things.
“I had to make a huge checklist to make sure I had everything done. I’m still learning like the process of things. I love it, though. I love taking charge.”
Nance said in years past the team would gather in July to start preparations for the upcoming season. She began in the spring preparing for the upcoming season.
“We started working out and doing like a spring training thing without a softball,” said Nance. “I started individual workouts bringing in four players at a time which has continued. I really feel that has increased our chances of winning because we started so soon.
“This has also helped me figure things out before us starting practices in July.”
Nance said the transition from Anderson to her regime had some rough patches early on, but the players are buying in to her leadership.
“What we’re doing now is a lot different that what it has been like in the past,” she said. “Trust was difficult at first because it was a big transition. They have their own space in the newly painted locker room and they love to hang out in there. We’ve never had team bags or team helmets and we have both now.
“We’ve redone the field with new clay and I think the biggest thing is them seeing how much work I’m putting into this so they have really bought into it. I’ve put together a contract for them of just the things I expect from them.
“Honestly our chemistry is the best it’s ever been. I’ve been blessed, honestly, like the Lord has blessed me with this team this year.”
Five seniors will lead Nance’s first team. The program is hoping to bounce back from a 6-16 mark in 2023. The Lady Herons dropped 13 of their final 15 games to miss the post-season.
“The leadership of thos seniors is every thing a head coach could ask for,” said Nance. “I had a meeting with them and since that time things have changed. Even the juniors are stepping up.”
Nance was quick to point out the help of Anderson with the transition.
“He has been awesome to learn from,” she said. “He’s taught me a lot with the transition and the things that I need to do. He given me contact information of who to order things from.”
Pitching
Juniors Chelsea Turner and Reagan McLain are expected to provide a 1-2 combination.
Turner is returning from an injury last year. McLain is transferring in from Frederica Academy, which does not have a softball program.
“Chelsea’s speed has improved and she has that mental toughness,” Nance said. “The two are working very well together and they’re pushing each other.”
Sophomore Mary Hall gives the Lady Herons a third pitcher. Freshmen Edie Lowther and Caylen Flowers give Brantley County quality depth.
“We’ve never had five pitchers,” said Nance. “With that many pitchers on the team and to be able to utilize all of them is going to enhance our chances of winning.”
Catcher
Senior Kelsie Bishop returns giving BCHS experience behind the plate.
“She has gained the catcher mentality,” Nance said of Bishop. “She played third and first before moving behind the plate. “She’s been working hard doing a lot of oneon- ones with our community coach Blake Willis.”
Madison Walker is expected to provide a backup role. And just like Bishop, she has played third base.
“There are growing pains in changing positions,” said Nance, “but the struggles have made her mentally tougher on the offensive side.”
First Base
Sophomore Sydnee Davis is currently the front-runner as Nance hopes to have her pitchers concentrate working from the pitching rubber.
“She has come a long way with her hitting, as well as gaining confidence and working mentally through things,” said Nance of Davis.
Sophomore Makenzie Beaver, who will see a lot of time with the jayvee, is expected to provide backup.
“Makenzie is working hard after making the decision to come out,” Nance said. “She is loving it.”
Second Base
One-time outfielder Lydia Anderson, a sophomore, has moved into vacancy of second base.
“She has good range,” Nance said. “There is a big adjustment moving from the outfield to the infield, but she’s been able to do it because she gives 110 percent with everything she does.”
Nance added Anderson will be plugged into the leadoff spot as a “slapper.”
Sophomore Kynslea Garrison will provide backup.
“Those two are really competing and helping each other get better,” said Nance.
Shortstop
Senior Brooklyn Wildes returns to strengthen the middle of the defense. Wildes, who won a state title with the tennis program, led the Lady Herons in batting average and fielding putouts a year ago.
“She’s carrying over that mentality to the team and she knows the work ethic you have to put in reach your goal,” Nance said.
Freshman Caiden Jones could see action at three of the four infield positions. According to Nance, Jones has played second and third during the summer and provides power.
Third Base
Junior Jayden Lewis will handle the “hot corner” for the Lady Herons.
“Jayden has really stepped up this year,” said Nance. “Her attitude and her leadership has been great plus she’s being more vocal and taking some of the younger girls, like Caiden, under her wing. I’ve never seen Jaden go and pump up a girl or anything like that.”
Nance said she is still trying to figure out who will back up Lewis.
Outfield
Senior Emma Grace Blocker, sophomore Rylee Smith and Lexi Byrd headline the list of six outfielders.
Blocker has been rotating between center and right field with Smith. Byrd seems to be entrenched in left.
“Emma Grace and Rylee are best friends,” said Nance. “They’re playing off each other and pushing each other which is really awesome to see. Lexi led us in batting during the summer hitting .625. She has come in as a very different player with a great attitude. Her work ethic has also been great.”
The backups are Maya Chisolm, sophomore Mallory Crosby and transfer Rylee Smith.
“Maya is super fast and is backing up in left,” said Nance. “Mallory will play centerfield and has really stepped up. She thrives on pumping up the team.
“Rylee transferred in from the Tifton area. She’s working hard and I’ve seen her growth.”
Region
Dropping down in classification brings on teams many are not as familiar with as they are with Jeff Davis and Bacon County.
The other region members are Berrien, Fitzgerald, Thomasville and Worth County.
“I believe Jeff Davis and Bacon County are going to be the top teams in the region to beat,” said Nance. “I don’t know what the other teams lost or what’s coming back. I just honestly don’t know.
“My thing is we’re going to prepare as hard for those other four teams as we will for Jeff Davis and Bacon County. I’m never going to tell our team an opponent is bad. We’ve got to be ready each time we take the field. I want them to expect to win every time we step on the field.”
Coaches
Alicia Grafford will serve as Nance’s assistant coach. Paul Able will serve as jayvee head coach with Blake Willis being the community coach.
“Alicia is my calm to my crazy,” said Nance. “We feed off of each other we work well together. Paul loves the game, knows the sport the girls love him. Blake helped the baseball program this past year and he’s very intelligent. He’s been working with our catchers a lot and with our hitting. We’ve seen a lot of improvement in that area.”
