TOCCOA - Stephens County softball has a region title on its mind, at least according to junior pitcher Emma Whitfield.
"We were disappointed we didn't win region last year," Whitfield said, "so that's our goal this year; that and making it to state."
Thanks to Whitfield’s performances in two big region wins the week of Sept. 4, the stated goal doesn’t seem a far-fetched one.
In an 8-0 Indians win against Region 8-AAAA foe North Oconee, Whitfield began her week striking out nine to earn the victory. She followed that up with a 13-strikeout, complete-game shutout against Jefferson that snapped the Dragons five-game win streak and pulled Stephens County into a tie atop the region standings.
For her efforts, Whitfield has been named the AccessWDUN Athlete of the Week presented by Coca-Cola United.
“Emma (Whitfield) is one of the hardest working players I’ve ever met,” said Stephens County softball coach Katie-Jo Gentry. “She couldn’t be more deserving of the good things coming her way, and they’re made even better because of how humble she is.”
Whitfield has stood out in the circle for Indians from the get-go. She was named team MVP her freshmen and sophomore seasons while also improving her ERA from 2.68 to 0.92.
“She’s a strategic pitcher,” said Gentry. “She’s gotten to the point where we can talk about and she can execute exact pitch placement, and fully understands this is a game of inches.”
The early success has now transitioned to reliability, and that has the Indians eyeing the aforementioned program goals.
“Emma doesn’t get flustered (in the circle), she has the same face on whether it’s the most stressful situation or we’re winning by 10,” said Gentry. “(Her teammates) have a good deal of trust in her. They don’t put any undo weight on her shoulders, but they know she’s trustworthy and has put in the work to be successful.
“She is a great example of what hard work will do for somebody.”
