Morgen Ray and Paige Hill hug, Meagan Taylor cheers and Tift softball head coach Taylor Barber high-fives Niambi Battle following the team’s win over Colquitt County.

TIFTON — A little over a week after Tift County’s high school softball schedule ended with losses in the region playoffs to Camden County, head coach Taylor Barber has reflected on the season.

Barber came in this summer from Colquitt County, where he worked with softball and baseball programs. He’ll be assisting baseball head coach Kyle Kirk this spring. Work has already started for that sport; Barber was on the diamond working with those players Monday.

The Lady Devils went 7-19 in Barber’s initial year.

“We knew it was going to be a rebuilding year,” said Barber.

The record is similar to that of recent seasons. What they accomplished on the field is not.

Tift won their first region softball game since the 2017 season. They also won over Lowndes for the first time in four years. The Lady Devils are also one of two teams to have beaten Lanier County this season. Lanier is currently active in the Class A state tournament.

In region play, Tift gave up three runs fewer per game than a year ago against arguably tougher competition. Lowndes and Colquitt County are still active in the state playoffs. Colquitt is 24-5. The Lady Devils were one of those losses. When they won over the Lady Packers Sept. 5, it was Colquitt’s second defeat of the season.

Seniors were a big help to Barber in this initial campaign. Alaina Stephens, Alayna Davis, Emily Henderson and Abi Sumner were regular starters and Meagan Taylor made several pitching appearances.

Beyond the veterans, Barber had to find players that fit his system. Morgen Ray had already been the regular catcher for seasons. Niambi Battle, Josie Bullington, Meg Branch, Paige Hill and Kloie Varnedoe all had previous significant playing time.

“We knew Morgen was going to be our catcher,” he said. Barber said she came along even further at the position as the year progressed. “Morgen did an excellent job controlling the game behind the plate.”

Battle saw a similar defensive progression at third base. “Coaches were always bragging on Nini’s play,” said Barber. “She grew so much for us.”

Bullington made herself indispensable at first base. Barber had thought about Sumner splitting time at first base with Bullington, but soon realized he needed to have both players in the lineup at all times. Sumner continued to take ground balls at the position, he said.

“She was a quiet leader,” said Barber of Bullington. “She was big to have.” Ray and Bullington had the best fielding percentages of all starters for the season. Bullington was a key contributor at the plate, finishing with the highest average on the team and leading in runs batted in and home runs.

Varnedoe is expected to be another big returnee to the lineup next season. Barber had nothing but praise for her efforts.

“She has an incredible work ethic,” he said. Varnedoe plays travel soccer in addition to softball. No matter what her weekend schedule was, she always made her way to the ballpark for extra practice.

Pitching is a concern of Barber’s for 2020. Hill, Sumner, Taylor and Madison Smith were the four in the circle this season. Two graduate. Hill was the No. 1 pitcher, leading the way in wins, ERA and strikeouts. Smith will press for a slot. Kayleigh Fowler is another possibility.

Barber will gain talent from the middle school program. He predicts that several of those players are “going to push our varsity girls” for spots in the starting lineup.

Tift won’t be complacent with its record.

“As a whole, 7-19 is not anything that sits well with me,” said Barber. He believes the players won’t let it sit well with them, either. Barber said the players have built a great culture and are motivated to work even harder.