MOULTRIE – It’s an important matter, but trying to firm down a date for the start of GHSA Class 7A softball was nowhere near the most important matter of the past two weeks for the Colquitt County High program.

While Chance Pitts and the Packers are hoping all severe weather from Michael will be gone in time for them to take on Cherokee High next Monday at Packer Park, an important bit of inspiration took place two days ago.

Assistant coach Taylor Barber paid a visit for the first time since a scary experience occurred for the 25-year-old Sept. 30. On that day, the assistant for both Pitts and Packer baseball coach Tony Kirkland suffered a massive heart attack.

According to Pitts, Barber returned home on Oct. 3.

“He came out and saw us (Monday) to speak to the girls and the baseball team,” said Pitts, adding that this was an opportunity for Barber to “get out of the house.” “He said he’s feeling better.

“Definitely, the team misses him, but not near as much as I do. He’s been my right-hand man since I took over. It’s been weird coaching without him there. But the biggest thing is to get him to 100 percent.”

This is the third season for Pitts as head coach for Colquitt County softball. Barber not only works as Pitts’ main assistant and first base coach, he is Kirkland’s pitching coach in baseball.

Barber posted the details of his heart attack on social media:

“This past Sunday, at just 25 years old, I suffered a massive heart attack due to a dissection in the left anterior descending artery. The dissection, which we are still unsure of where it came from, caused a blood clot in the area known as the ‘widow maker’ with the blockage being around 80%. After being rushed to Archbold in Thomasville, 3 stents were placed in my heart. Had the first responders not made the call to send me straight to Thomasville, the chances of me being here today would be slim if none. I spent 2 days in ICU and another day and a half in the cardiac unit before getting to come home yesterday evening. Each day of recovery has been better and better, though the recovery will be a long one as I grow back into my updated heart.

“We want to thank the good Lord for keeping me here as well as thank everyone who has come to see us, sent messages, called us, and sent prayers for myself and my family as we’ve gone through such a scary event.”

On Tuesday, Colquitt County athletic director Greg Tillery announced that the Packers’ first-round series against Cherokee High is set for Monday, Oct. 15. The first two games will take place this day at Packer Park with a third game if needed on Tuesday, Oct. 16.

This series was originally slated to begin today (Oct. 10) but then was moved to Tuesday when the week began and a tropical system’s projections showed it would impact the Colquitt County area in the middle of the week.

Not long after the first change was announced, Tillery said those games would not take place Tuesday after all.

As the second-place team from Region 1-7A, Colquitt earned the right to host in the first-round. Pitts said that’s been the bright spot of this whole situation as it’s meant no five-hour bus ride to the Atlanta area.

The Packers in softball have dealt with scheduling issues brought on by tropical weather in each of the last three seasons. Pitts said it’s tough when you get geared up to play and then start wondering when you are going to play.

They also cannot practice the rest of the week.

“If we play our game, play good defense and hit the ball, we should be fine,” said Pitts.

Tillery also announced Tuesday that the middle school softball tournament slated to take place at Packer Park is cancelled and will not be rescheduled.

Colquitt County’s club went 12-0 this season outscoring its opponents 162-11. Every game, according to coach Aaron Eubanks, ended by the mercy rule of 5 innings.

The Packers hit .509 as a team lead by Emily Allegood (.769) and Madison Plymel (.688). In pitching, Allegood went 12-0 with an 0.15 ERA in 49 innings pitched with 90 strikeouts.