East Coweta softball opens fall season with 15-6 rout of Newnan

East Coweta's Lady Indians wasted no time announcing themselves this fall, opening the season with a 15-6 victory over the Newnan Cougars — a margin that made clear the defending state champions intend to pick up where they left off.

The offense came alive early, according to the Times-Herald.

The win arrives with the program carrying real momentum and real weight. East Coweta is chasing back-to-back state softball championships, according to CBS News, and the senior class — eight players strong — has become the engine driving that pursuit.

Those girls have really done a great job bringing the younger ones along. It's been rewarding in so many ways.— Franklin Deloach, Head Coach

At the center of that senior class is pitcher Jada Savage, who holds the program record for career strikeouts and has already committed to Ole Miss on a softball scholarship. Savage was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the ninth grade — a condition that can cause fatigue, muscle weakness, and vision problems — but has continued to pitch at an elite level and contribute at the plate.

She plays with a ton of courage. If I had to describe Jada in one word, it would probably be courage.— Franklin Deloach, Head Coach

Just being able to be out here. Not everybody gets the chance to do the things they love. I get to do it even though I have a little struggle. I want to set an example for younger girls who may go through the same thing or something different.— Jada Savage, Senior Pitcher

Savage also donates to multiple sclerosis charities and visits patients at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. On the field, she has shown she is more than a pitcher — in a recent doubleheader sweep against Cherokee High School, she pitched both games and contributed with her bat.

That's a secret weapon I have. Not everybody expects a pitcher to hit, but I'll hit sometimes. It's okay.— Jada Savage, Senior Pitcher

After that Cherokee sweep, East Coweta advanced to the state quarterfinals in Columbus, according to CBS News. The fall opener against Newnan now adds another chapter to a season the program is treating as unfinished business.

My class is the one that's really going to get us to the top, so I'm super excited to get there and hopefully win a World Series.— Jada Savage, Senior Pitcher

Why it matters — A 15-6 opening win signals that East Coweta — led by a record-setting senior class and a pitcher overcoming MS — is a serious contender to claim back-to-back state championships.

Reported by times-herald.com, eastcowetaathletics.com, cbsnews.com