SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. — Mother Nature hasn’t been a friend to the Social Circle softball team this summer. With pop-up thunderstorms and the unbearable heat, the team hasn’t practiced as often as first-year head coach Bryan Eades would like. 

Heading into the season, that was his No. 1 concern. 

The Lady Redskins only had one to two practices and a few scrimmages in June. The latter part of July to the first week of August is when it really seemed things were coming together. 

During that two-week stretch is when Eades learned more about this year’s squad. 

“We have some competition,” Eades said. “We’ve got some girls who can play more than one position. So that gives us a little more flexibility.” 

Eades highlighted that as his team’s biggest strength as they continue to gel together. 

Leading the charge to help bring the team together has been the team’s three seniors: Morgan Chambers, Gracie Jones and Alexa Wykoff. They also have six juniors in addition to a few sophomores and freshmen who’ve shown some promise. 

However, the leadership of the senior group is the most crucial piece to help bring success in 2021 for the Lady Redskins. 

“This is their program,” Eades said. “I’ve tried to impart to the seniors that they need to be leaders, because they’re the ones that the other kids look up to.” 

Social Circle aims to find its harmony on the diamond by the end of September. Eades said that’s the biggest obstacle standing in the team’s way. 

But, if the Lady Redskins can learn to mesh and assemble a dominant lineup, then their head coach is high on their chances in the postseason. 

“If you can get to Columbus and be one of those eight teams, then anything can happen,” Eades said. “But it’s a process and we’re not where we want to be yet.”  

Social Circle started its season with a 9-1 loss to Franklin County. Its next matchup will take place on Saturday, Aug. 13.