After a season that ended one victory short of winning back-to-back state championships, the Morgan County softball team is using the summer months to prepare for a new challenge in 2026.
Head coach Chad Pigg said the program that finished as Class AA state runners-up last season is sticking with the process that helped deliver success, while simultaneously focusing on the areas needed to take the next step.
“We’re trying not to change a whole lot,” Pigg said. “We kind of believe in our process up to this point.”
The Lady Dogs spent much of the summer working three days a week in June before taking part in their annual dead week. Following that break, they returned to action with a trip to FCA camp in Columbus, an event Pigg considers one of the most important parts of his team’s summer.
“It’s one of the most important things we do as a program, not only for softball, but for culture purposes,” Pigg said. “We really believe in this camp and the things that it does for our girls, both on and off the field.”
While skill development remains a priority, Pigg said building team chemistry has been a major focus heading into the 2026 season. Morgan County spent much of last season adjusting after its state championship run. According to Pigg, rediscovering the team’s identity took time.
“We spent a lot of last year just trying to figure out who we were,” he said.
After dealing with some challenges throughout the season, Pigg said he believes this year’s team is already ahead in that area.
On the field, Morgan County will have a mix of familiar faces and players stepping into larger roles. The Lady Dogs return a good portion of their pitching staff from last season, a group that was forced into significant action after senior standout Ryleigh Hilsman missed most of the season with an injury.
Kennedi Johenkins, Sidney Fischer, and Darcie Whitaker all stepped up in the circle, gaining valuable experience in high-pressure situations.
“When Ryleigh was out, it forced us to grow them up,” Pigg said. “It allowed us to get them some very meaningful innings and big spots, and they did a great job of figuring out how to execute their pitches and keep hitters off balance.”
Pigg said that experience will be valuable moving forward as the trio enters the 2026 season with more confidence and maturity.
“They answered the call,” Pigg said. “It was definitely, ‘All right, you’re up. Here it is. Good, bad, or ugly, it’s yours.’ They stepped up to that.”
Morgan County will also lean heavily on its senior class of Aziyah Robertson, Payton Davis, and Ava Gaddy.
“Where they go is where we’re going to go,” Pigg said. “They’re all three going to play a huge role in kind of where we go this year.”
Junior Chandler Aaron is another player Pigg expects to make an impact. After battling through a difficult stretch last season, Aaron has responded with a strong summer playing travel ball and competing at a high level.
“She’s very, very dynamic,” Pigg said. “She can do a lot of things. We’re going to look to her to be a spark plug for us.”
The Lady Dogs will also have some younger players pushing for opportunities, including freshmen who could see early playing time.
The 2026 season will bring a new challenge for Morgan County as it moves up to Class AAA and into a new region filled with established softball programs. The Lady Dogs will join a region that includes Lumpkin County, Franklin County, Stephens County, Hart County, Elbert County, and Hebron Christian.
“It is a softball region,” Pigg said. “It’s a bunch of juggernauts that are all traditionally really good. All of these schools care about softball, and it shows.”
While the new region presents a difficult test, Pigg believes playing strong competition throughout the regular season will help prepare Morgan County for the postseason.
“We try to schedule the best that we can see in the regular season,” Pigg said. “We’re tested and battle-tested when we get down there.”
The Bulldogs know the road back to a championship will be challenging, but Pigg believes the summer work being put in now will help position the team for another postseason run.
“This is going to be nothing but good for us,” Pigg said. “We’ll be better for it in the long run.”