The Georgia Academy Power ("GAP") Softball Club based out of Metro Atlanta is not a brick and mortar facility but an "Academy" with the mission to teach young athletes that while it's important to cultivate and development talent on the field that it's equally or even more important to development character and Integrity off the field, thus creating the "Total Citizen."
 
We spoke with Jay Worley, current Chairman for the club organization and head coach for a 14U team, who said, "In the end, we want our girls to not only play to earn a four-year scholarship, but to earn a 30-40 year career that will give back to others."

This weekend the Power can be found competing at the Atlanta Legacy Showcase but prior to participating in the prestigious Peach State tournament, we dive in deeper to learn about this fast-rising program and the 14U team that is starting to draw national attention...

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When did Georgia Academy Power start and what was its origin?  

GAP was founded by Ernie Yarbrough in 2009.  The "GAP" fielded five teams in its inaugural season and currently we have 15 fastpitch teams.  The club was founded with the overall philosophy that "the kids come first."  Simply put, this philosophy presents a position for all involved that the focus will remain on the development of the players on the field and off the field.  We have a motto that reads, "Grow the Player, Advance the Organization, Promote the Sport... Get into the GAP."  
 
What, in your opinion, makes the GAP unique? 
We believe that our approach to the game is slightly different than maybe some of the other top clubs in our region.  We put a tremendous amount of focus on the process rather than on the outcome.  In doing so we are teaching that life is not always perfect, you are not always going to win every battle, but by sticking to the process we will learn from our mistakes, have respect for the game, and ultimately in the end be better players and people for it.  However, through this "process" our teams have become very successful and competing on the national stage!  We have some excellent people in leadership positions that all share a common thread in putting the girls first.  We call it our Gap Family #gapfamily.

What's your own softball background and how did you get to the point of leading the organization?

I was introduced to fastpitch softball in 2005 when I moved to work for Cherokee Recreation and Parks Agency in Woodstock, Georgia where I currently serve as the Athletic Director.  We had just opened up Twin Creeks Softball Complex which was the first dedicated fastpitch complex in the state and I was given the opportunity to grow a game that I knew very little about at the time.  In just three years we had over 500 young ladies playing at our park.  In 2008 our park was named the ASA Complex of the Year for the entire country.  Also, that same year we helped facility the Atlanta Legacy Showcase which today is one of the top showcases in the country.  Through these channels, I was fortunate to meet a lot of good people along the way and, coincidentally, my daughter started playing softball at Twin Creeks and the rest is history so to speak.  

Tell us more about your 14U GAP team which is starting to place higher and higher in national tournaments?

I got my first taste of travel ball as a head coach in first year 12's.  We only won 16 games that year and hit a lot of bumps in the road (laughs).  The following season my girls finished 17th at ASA Nationals in Sacramento, California.  Last season in first year 14's they finished 33rd at ASA Nationals in Sioux Fall, South Dakota and was literally one pitch away from finishing in the Top 25 with a very young team.  By trusting in the process our girls are on a great run this spring/ summer and to date, as of early July, have compiled a record of 56-11-4.  The have defeated five of the top 25 teams in the FloSoftball rankings and even more in the top 100.  Just this past month, they finished 3rd overall at Scenic City Showcase out of 104 team, they won the Champions Elite Summer Showcase held in Atlanta and just returned from Colorado Springs and finished 13th with over 150 teams competing in the Sparkler Jr. hosted TCS.


What is your primary focus or goal with this team?  

Absolutely without question my main goal for this team is for each and every girl to earn a college scholarship that will earn them an education and a better life.  We have a tremendous amount of budding talent on this team and wonderful young ladies.  Now by winning and placing well in tournaments has been fun for everyone that is just the bi-product of our ultimate goal of earning scholarships and they understand that better than anyone.
 


What do you think are the strengths of the team?  

Well, that's easy!  We have 14 girls that believe in playing for each other and for the betterment of the team.  They call it their "gap sisterhood".  All of our players are athletic enough to play multiple position that gives us flexibility in the lineup.  We have an excellent pitching staff and sound defense (35 double plays this season).  When the girls are swinging the bats they are a very tough bunch and fun to watch.  Our girls are game smart and have the ability to play the game at a fast pace.  It's possible though that their secret weapon is their stuffed animal/rally monkey in the dugout named "Leroy!"


Georgia Academy Power 02' DeMarini Player Profiles

#3 Alissa Bolinger (2020, 3B/OF)

"Alissa is a solid corner player and outfielder with a consistent glove and good arm.  She is a smart player who always understands game situations and making the right decisions.  Also, she can stand in the circle and throw strikes."

#7 Hannah McGill (2020, 2B/SS)

"Hannah is a gritty middle infielder with an extremely quick release.  Her soft hands and athletic prowess makes her an excellent defensive player on either side of the infield.  She handles the bat well and has speed to burn on the bases."

#8 Macy Banks (2020, P)

"Macy is arguably one of the best shutdown pitchers in her class.  She is able to mix speed (low 60's) with spin and location that keeps hitters off-balance. Just in the months of May and June against elite competition she has a .928 WHIP and an ERA of 1.20."  

#9 Emma Worley (2021, P)

"Emma is a long 5-foot-10 pitcher that was spotlighted in the FloSoftball Top 100 Class of 2021 players to watch.  She has a top speed of 62 mph and working speeds in the mid to upper 50's.  Emma is a developing pitcher with tons of potential and hard work ethic."

#10 Claire Campbell (2020, C)

"Campbell is a 'Wall' from behind the plate and can consistently gets the corner pitches called every inning.  She also has very quick release capable of throwing anybody out even on balls out of the zone or in the dirt.  Claire is a great vocal leader."

#11 Elle Doolittle (2020, P)

"Elle is a spin pitcher and also has spectacular control.  She is able to work the ball up and down in the zone as well as inside and out.  Elle has pitched lots of big games this season and does a fantastic job of getting quick out and keeping her pitch count low."

#13 Annie Ormsby (2020, OF)

"Annie swings a bat like a surgical knife.  What she lacks in speed she commands with her bat and knowing how to handle every pitch thrown her way.  She is also a stellar outfielder with a quick first step and ability to track down balls in the gap.  Ormsby possesses a good arm and has five assists from the outfield this season."

#16 Anna White (2020, SS/OF)

"Anna is a quiet leader on this team that leads by example.  She can anchor the infield or play the corner outfield.  Anna is a hard nose player that takes her play seriously and works hard to obtain proven results.  She is a great base runner and always keeps the defense on their toes when she is flying around."

#22 Deanna Berry (2020, 3B/OF)

"Deanna is an excellent team player with a never-say-quit attitude.  A very hard worker who is always looking to improve her game in every aspect, she is a very gritty corner infielder and an excellent contact gap-to-gap hitter."

#24 Kyleigh Haney (2020, 1B/C)

"KJ is a power hitter with the uncanny ability to hit the ball to all fields, but also hit for average.  Currently she is batting .469 with 13 home runs on the season and a slugging percentage of .900.  She also can showcase her range and flexibility in the field at first base and behind the plate."

#27 Morgan Bennett (2020, 3B)

"Morgan is a rock-steady defensive player who anchors the corner infield with soft hands and a strong arm.  Mo also swings the bat for consistency and power, a unique trait that most players would like to have.  She is hitting .400 for the season.

#30 Alex Williams (2021, C/OF)

"Alex is a fundamentally sound athlete with lots of upside.  She commands a strong presence behind the plate as well as a hard nose for the ball in the outfield.  What makes her unique is the ability to switch hit as well as her keen eye for the ball.  She only has seven strikeouts in over 125 plate appearances and is an excellent contact hitter."

#44 Sarah Squillace (2021, 2B/OF)

"Sarah is a lefty slapper with good speed and tremendous work ethic.  She can also stand in and hit for power.  Currently Sarah is hitting .401 on the season.  She is a high-motor athlete who plays middle infield and outfield with precision and with fundamentally sound mechanics.  Sarah is also a top Flo Softball recruit for the Class of 2021.

#99 Mallory Fletcher (2021, OF)

"Mal is a three-sport athlete and can play most positions.  While she swings a great bat for average and power, her real strength is in her arm where she has eight assists from the outfield in throwing runners out at every base.  Mallory has an overhand arm speed clocked at 63 mph and is drawing lots of interest."