Jeff Moeller, correspondent
With the start of the season roughly two months away, Chris Jenkins already believes his team is ready to build upon last year’s achievements. The Richmond Hill veteran fast-pitch softball coach guided his team to a school-best fifth-place state finish in Class 6A, the highest finish for a fastpitch team in school history. The Wildcats posted a 20-11 overall record.
So Jenkins and Richmond Hill aren’t wasting any time prepping for an anticipated successful 2026 campaign. It will surely be a busy time ahead.
“We’re working out three days a week in June, one hour in the weight room and one hour on the field,” said Jenkins, who will begin his sixth season at Richmond Hill and 20th overall as a head coach. “In July, we will work out, practice, or scrimmage four days a week.
“Everything that we are doing on the field and in the weight room is geared toward building on last season's success and, ultimately, taking another step forward.”
The Wildcats will have 12 players back in the fold for the upcoming season with seniors Kainani Auld, Ahnalyah Estevez, Clarissa Frascella, Skylar Klinglesmith, Ashella Matias, Lennon Monaco, Aubrey Ragins, Maggie Reynolds, and Ainsley Washington; juniors Aryianna Bigford and Gessilyn Clark; and sophomores Kaney Kicklighter. Auld, Matias, Ragins, and Washington were selected to the 1-6A All-Region Team last season.
There will be 38 players in the program this year, which will allow the Wildcats to field three teams: varsity, junior varsity, and freshmen, according to Jenkins. He sees plenty of promise for the incoming class.
“We have 13 freshmen,” added Jenkins. “They are a very talented group that we're excited to see how they develop.”
Jenkins stated that the team began workouts last week, and he was impressed.
“We liked the effort and energy we saw in the initial workouts,” said Jenkins. “I hope that it continues as we progress.”
The head coach welcomed 70 campers for their annual camp on May 27 and 27. It was another productive day for the community and his program.
“Our recreation department and local travel programs have done an outstanding job of growing the game with the younger kids in the community,” said Jenkins. “It is always one of the highlights of our season to see the next generation of talent we have coming down the pipeline.”
The Wildcats will have scrimmages against Wayne County on July 16 and against Glynn Academy July 23.
Despite having a good core returning, Jenkins is taking a tempered approach to the season. He knows a key will be his team’s work ethic.
“We are cautiously optimistic about this upcoming season,” stated Jenkins. “We have all of the pieces in place to make another trip to Columbus, but with the competition we face, the work we put in on and off the field will determine how successful we are.”
